The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) has announced the award recipients for the 2023 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and Recreational Trails Program (RTP).
Transportation Alternatives Program
The TAP was reauthorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and provides funding for programs and projects defined as “transportation alternatives” for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized forms of transportation. The TAP is a reimbursement-type grant program that provides for an 80% federal share and a 20% local match from eligible applicants.
Under the TAP, eligible projects can include the construction of on-road and off-road trail facilities that include sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, pedestrian and bicycle signals, lighting, and other safety-related infrastructure. Conversion of abandoned railroad corridors for pedestrian and bicycle trails is also eligible.
Some of the awarded TAP projects include $500,000 for the Delta Heritage Trail project managed by Arkansas State Parks, $409,000 for the Renovation of the LOVIT ADA Watchable Wildlife Elevated Walkway requested by the Friends of Lake Ouachita, Inc., $500,000 for the Southwest Trail Access Point and Trailhead at Baseline Road requested by Pulaski County, and $300,000 requested by Central Arkansas Water for Maumelle Pinnacles Conservation Area Trails (Phase 2).
Recreational Trails Program
The RTP is funded through a portion of TAP funds set aside specifically for recreational trails. These funds are eligible for the maintenance and restoration of existing trails, development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities and trail linkages, and construction of new trails.
Arkansas State Parks received $225,000 in RTP grants for Lake Sylvia Recreation Area Trail Improvements, the City of North Little Rock received $100,000 for Burns Park Arkansas River Trail Rehabilitation, and Studio Drift received two RTP grants totaling $330,000 for the Crowley’s Ridge Gravel Trail in Clay and Greene counties.
For 2023, a total of 47 TAP projects were awarded for approximately $15 million and a total of 14 RTP projects were awarded for approximately $2 million.
To be notified of future funding cycles for these programs, please subscribe to ARDOT’s Local Public Agency Information at http://www.ardot.gov/LPA.
A list of award recipients and project names can be found here.
(Title photo from the Crowley’s Ridge Gravel Trail)
