The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) is part of the Competitive Programs that East-West Gateway Council of Governments (EWG) administers. TAP projects, like all federally funded transportation projects, are included in the Transportation Improvement Program that EWG develops for the St. Louis region. TAP provides funding for a variety of transportation projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, safe routes to school projects, community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation management, and environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity. This program is authorized by the current transportation law the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
Eligible Activities
TAP projects must have a direct relationship to surface transportation and funding may be used for any phase of the project, including preliminary engineering/design, environmental, right-of-way, or construction. Under 23 U.S.C. 213(b) eligible activities under TAP consist of:
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- Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility Project
- Construction of on-road or off-road trail facility
- Provide safe routes for non-drivers (includes SRTS infrastructure projects)
- Conversion of abandoned railroad corridor for use as a trail for non-motorized transportation
- Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Non-Infrastructure Project
- Safety and educational programs for pedestrians and bicycles (only eligible for grades K-12)
- Community Improvement Activity
- Construction of turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas
- Inventory, control, or removal of outdoor advertising
- Historic preservation and rehabilitation of historic transportation facilities
- Vegetation management practices in transportation rights-of-way
- Archeological activities related to implementation of a transportation project
- Environmental Mitigation Activity
- Storm water management, control, and water pollution prevention or abatement
- Reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality or habitat connectivity
- Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility Project
Eligible Sponsors
TAP funds are available to eligible Illinois and Missouri sponsors in the jurisdictions in the St. Louis region.
Eligible applicants include:
- Local government
- Regional transportation authority
- Natural resource or public land agency
- School district, local education agency or school
- Nonprofit entity
- State at the request of an eligible entity listed above
Project Funds
TAP projects are funded with both federal and local funds at the following levels:
Both Illinois and Missouri Projects
- Up to 80% federal / 20% local funding for:
- Preliminary engineering
- Right of way acquisition
- Construction
- Construction engineering
2025 TAP Application Cycle
On November 4, 2024, EWG opened a call for projects for STP-S, CMAQ/CRP, and TAP applications in Illinois and Missouri with applications due February 7, 2025. Applications and supplemental materials can be found on the call for projects page. EWG will host virtual project review meetings for project sponsors. Sponsors will be able to sign up for 30-minute project review meeting from 9:00 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. on the following days: January 9, 2025, January 10, 2025, January 16, 2025 and January 17, 2025. More information is available here.
2023 TAP Projects
Click here for a list of projects that received TAP funds in the last round.
2020 TAP Projects
Click here for a list of projects that received TAP funds in 2020.
