(Trenton) – The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) today announced the grant solicitation period for FY23 Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program (TA Set-Aside) is open with applications being accepted through November 3, 2022.
The program is administered by NJDOT in partnership with the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA), the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) and the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization (SJTPO).
The Department is offering workshops across the state that will provide tips and strategies for applying for federal grants and will highlight successful bicycle and pedestrian projects in New Jersey.
“The New Jersey Department of Transportation works with the three regional planning authorities to provide federal funding to counties and municipalities for local transportation projects that ensure equity, improve safety, and strengthen the cultural, aesthetic, and environmental aspects of our transportation system,” NJDOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti said. “To help local governments with these grant opportunities, NJDOT is hosting workshops that will provide training on eligibility requirements and how to apply for these grants.”
The TA Set-Aside program provides federal funds for community based “non-traditional” surface transportation related projects designed to strengthen the cultural, aesthetic, and environmental aspects of the nation’s surface transportation intermodal system.
Funding for this program has more than doubled under the new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Previously funded at $9.9 million each year, the new law provides an additional $15.3 million, bringing the total program funding to $25.2 million.
Eligible projects must fall into one of the following 7 categories:
- Design and construction of on-road and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other nonmotorized forms of transportation
- Conversion and use of abandoned railroad corridors for trails for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other nonmotorized transportation users
- Construction of scenic turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas
- Historic preservation and rehabilitation of historic transportation facilities both land and water such as buildings, structures and canals
- Community improvement activities, specifically: Streetscaping and corridor landscaping
- Environmental mitigation to address stormwater management, control, and water pollution prevention or abatement related to highway construction or due to highway runoff
- Reduction of vehicle-caused wildlife mortality and restoration and maintenance of connectivity among terrestrial and aquatic habitats
In addition to the traditional grant criteria, special consideration will be given to applications that address equity by providing benefits to underserved communities, low-income residents, minorities, those with limited English proficiency, persons with disabilities, children, and older adults.
NJDOT will host a series of grant application webinars with potential applicants for the TA-Set Aside program. Information on the registration for the workshops can be found at www.njdotlocalaidrc.com.
Webinar dates are the following:
- Tuesday, June 7, 2022 from 10-11:30 am
- Thursday, July 21, 2022 from 3-4:30 pm
Those who wish to submit an application for this federal program must schedule a mandatory one-on-one virtual pre-application meeting. Information about setting up this meeting is available on the Local Aid Resource Center website below.
For more information about the TA Set-Aside program or other Local Aid programs go to www.njdotlocalaidrc.com; email DOT-LocalAID.ResourceCenter@dot.nj.gov or call 609.649.9395. For NJDOT news follow us on Twitter @NewJerseyDOT and on the NJDOT Facebook page.