Transportation Alternatives Program - Metropolitan Planning Organization +200,000 population selected

The Transportation Alternatives Program - Metropolitan Planning Organization +200,000 population is administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation and represents a federally funded initiative designed to support smaller-scale transportation infrastructure and community enhancement projects. Authorized under federal transportation legislation and associated with federal assistance listings 20.205 and 20.287, the program operates as a pass-through funding mechanism in which metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) with populations exceeding 200,000 play a central role in project selection and administration. Within Illinois, this includes designated Transportation Management Areas such as the Quad Cities region, where local MPOs coordinate planning and funding prioritization. The primary purpose of the program is to expand transportation alternatives beyond traditional roadway construction by investing in projects that enhance mobility, safety, and environmental sustainability. Eligible project types include pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, recreational trails, safe routes to school initiatives, and improvements that support non-driver access to public transportation. Additional eligible uses include community improvement efforts such as historic preservation, vegetation management, and environmental mitigation projects addressing stormwater management and habitat connectivity. However, certain restrictions apply, including limitations on specific project types such as recreational trails and Safe Routes to School infrastructure under this particular funding opportunity. Funding for this program is competitive and distributed through MPO-led calls for projects. The MPO, in this case supported by the Bi-State Regional Commission, is responsible for developing evaluation processes, ranking submissions, and recommending projects for funding. While technical committees review and prioritize applications, final funding decisions remain with the MPO policy committee, which retains discretion to select projects based on regional transportation needs. Awards are structured as capital grants, with individual awards ranging from 125000 to 1400000 dollars and total available funding for the current opportunity estimated at 1486331 dollars. Eligibility for the program is limited to entities operating within MPO regions with populations over 200,000. Eligible applicants include government organizations such as city, township, and county governments, as well as nonprofit organizations and transit agencies. Nonprofits are specifically limited to safety-related project applications. All applicants must demonstrate alignment with MPO priorities and comply with federal and state administrative requirements. Additionally, applicants must provide documentation such as project narratives, cost breakdowns, maps or design sketches, timelines, evidence of public input, and a required Minority Impact Statement. The application process is structured as a competitive submission window rather than a rolling program. For the current funding cycle, applications open on April 30, 2026, and close on July 31, 2026 at 4:30 PM. Applications must be submitted in full by the deadline through accepted delivery methods including mail or email. Following submission, applications undergo a completeness review before being evaluated by a technical committee using established scoring criteria outlined in the program’s evaluation manual. The review process culminates in funding recommendations and anticipated award announcements by September 30, 2026. The program includes a cost-sharing requirement, with a typical cash match of 20 percent unless otherwise specified by the MPO or if fully federally funded allocations apply. Indirect costs are not allowed under this funding opportunity. Reporting requirements and ongoing compliance obligations are determined by the MPO administering the funds. Applicants must also adhere to a wide range of federal regulations, including procurement standards, non-discrimination laws, and environmental compliance requirements. Key contacts for the program include Adam Gabany at the Illinois Department of Transportation and MPO-level contacts such as Jessi Hopkins and regional representatives from the Bi-State Regional Commission. Applicants are encouraged to review all program materials carefully, including evaluation manuals and MPO guidance documents, to ensure compliance and competitiveness. The program operates on a recurring basis through MPO-managed funding cycles, with future opportunities expected to follow similar structures based on federal transportation funding allocations.

Prioritize alignment with MPO evaluation criteria and regional transportation priorities; ensure completeness and strong documentation including public input and cost justification