The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) offers funding for the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program (TAP), which is a federally funded program 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).

This program is offered only every other year, so do not miss out!

The TAP provides federal funds for community based “non-traditional” surface transportation projects designed to strengthen the cultural, aesthetic, and environmental aspects of the nation’s intermodal system. TA Set-Aside projects must relate to surface transportation. The eligible projects must fall into the follow seven categories:

  • Design and construction of on-road and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized forms of transportation.
  • Conversion and use of abandoned railroad corridors for trails for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized transportation users.
  • Construction of scenic turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas.
  • Historic preservation and rehabilitation of historic transportation facilities both land and water such as building 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.
  • Reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality or to restore and maintain connectivity among terrestrial or aquatic habitats.

All applications for TA Set-Aside are to be submitted online through SAGE (System for Administering Grants Electronically) with a deadline of November 24th, 2020.

Seen under construction in 2019, the Hackensack Main Street Streetscape project was made possible with a $1 million TAP grant.

Seen under construction in 2019, the Hackensack Main Street Streetscape project was made possible with a $1 million TAP grant.

For additional information on TA Set-Aside grants, go to NJDOT’s Local Aid Resource Center website.

Also, please review the following important documents:

NJDOT 2020 TA Set-Aside Handbook 7.31.20 (PDF)
TA Set-Aside Grant Strategies and Tips.2020 (PDF)
2020 Design Treatment Typical Costs (PDF)

For the first time, there is an Equity Criteria to this grant opportunity. The equity criteria are designed to ensure that the funds are equitably distributed across the state and meet the needs of more vulnerable and traditionally underserved populations.

The Lawrence-Hopewell Trail was extended by 1 mile thanks to a $1 million TAP grant. The trail has previously been recognized with a Complete Streets Excellence Award.

The Lawrence-Hopewell Trail was extended by 1 mile thanks to a $1 million TAP grant. The trail has previously been recognized with a Complete Streets Excellence Award.

NJDOT also offers a reimbursable TA Set-Aside Design Assistance Program (PDF). Recipients of NJDOT’s TA Set-Aside grants are eligible to participate in the program. The program aims to make available consultant engineering services to assist Local Public Agencies (LPA’s) with the development of plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E) for their TA Set-Aside projects. The highlights of this program are the simplified procurement process, shortened time, reduced costs, improved quality, quicker review times and improved compliance with federal and state procurement requirements.

 

Some of the projects which received funding in 2018 were:

County of Monmouth received a $1.2 million dollar TA Set-Aside grant to extend the Henry Hudson Trail from Route 537 into the center of Freehold. The Monmouth County Park System wishes to extend the trail, complete the undeveloped area, and make other pedestrian related improvements throughout the trail to improve safety.

Marlboro Township was granted $875,000 to extend the Route 79 Sidewalk.

Metuchen Borough plans to use their $307,000 grant on the Grove Avenue Bike Lane Project. They hope to reduce the speed limit of the residential area and make it more amiable to cyclists by adding bike lane on Grove Avenue.

Weehawken Township’s $1.2 million grant will go to Hudson River Waterfront Walkway Project.

View the full list of 2016 and 2018 winners in the following PDF’s:

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to build a great new bicycle or pedestrian project!