Transportation Alternatives

Since 1991, the Federal Transportation Acts have provided funding for transportation alternatives/enhancement activities, through a set-aside from the Surface Transportation Block Grant STBG) program.

Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) act Transportation Alternative - STBG set-aside allocations (federal funding)

• Final FFY 2021 (PDF 128KB)
• Final FFY 2020 (PDF 90KB)
   Redistributed OA Summary (PDF 154KB)
• Final FFY 2019 (PDF 83KB)
• Final FFY 2018 (PDF 84KB)
• Final FFY 2017 (PDF 84KB)

Distribution formula

In 2013, the federal transportation act allocations for the Transportation Alternatives (TA) are distributed as follows:

• Over 200,000 population – Distributed based on 2010 Census data as required
• Under 200,000 – 5,000 population – Distributed based on 2010 Census data for these population areas.
• Under 5,000 population – Distributed based on 2010 Census data for this population area.
• Flexible:
   Prior to distribution, $2.4 million (even year) and $1.7 million (odd year) is provided to the statewide Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program.
   Distributed based on 2010 Census data for the total population of the area.

Also, the MPO Coordinating Committee determined they would maintain the TA funds distribution as modified under MAP-21.

Reporting

The FAST Act requires WSDOT to report to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on the status of Transportation Alternatives (TA) projects. FHWA then compiles all the states reports and submits the national report annually to the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary, as well as making it available to the public. The reports are to be based on each federal fiscal year (FFY) and are due to FHWA in early December.

Annually, each Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) and County that receives a TA allocation is to submit to WSDOT a report for that FFY’s TA allocation that includes:

• Number of project applications received that FFY;
• Aggregate cost of the projects for which applications were received that FFY;
• Number of projects selected for funding that fiscal year, including:
   Aggregate costs of the projects selected, and
   Location of the projects selected.
• Types of projects to be carried out, based on the following seven categories:
   Pedestrian & Bicycle Facilities
   Recreational (recreational trail projects only)
   Turnouts, Overlooks, Viewing Area
   Historic Preservation
   Environmental and Wildlife
   Safe Routes to School
   Other – Inventory, control or removal of outdoor advertising