Transportation Alternatives
Important Updates
Please visit this page for new information regarding the TA process
We anticipate a call for projects spring of 2025. If considering an application within the MPO boundary, please reach out to us directly.
APPLICATIONS
Long-Range Transportation Plan Eligible Project List
(Appendix H)
FAQ
For projects inside the MPO Urbanized Area (UZA) please use the MPO Application, for projects outside of the MPO Urbanized Area please use the MDT Application. If you have any questions please contact us.
Click here view the MPO planning area in an interactive map
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) continues the Transportation Alternatives (TA) set-aside from the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) program. Eligible applicants and projects of the set-aside funds include all capital improvement and pavement preservation projects that were previously eligible under the Transportation Alternatives Program under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). This encompasses a variety of smaller-scale transportation projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, recreational trails, safe routes to school projects, community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation management, and environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity. New to this application process is non-profit eligibility, project requests must come through the MPO.
The BIL allows for Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to administer their own competitive application process (with approval and oversight from MDT). Billings, Missoula, and Great Falls will be administering a competitive process for the TA funding that is specific to those areas (funding specific to areas with a population of over 50,000). Applications from entities within the MPO and the MPO itself may also apply with MDT’s Call for Application as well, as there is funding that is not population based.
Projects submitted must meet Federal and State guidelines for eligibility and must identify a local, Federal or State sponsoring agency. Private individuals and organizations may recommend a project if the project is sponsored by the governmental agency in which the project is located. Examples of sponsoring agencies may include, but are not limited to, Missoula City and County government and the Montana Department of Transportation.
Sources:
Montana Department of Transportation - Transportation Alternatives Program
Federal Highway Administration - Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
