The Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TA Set-Aside) Program provides federal funds for small-scale projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, trails, safe routes to school (SRTS) projects, community improvements, and environmental mitigation. These kinds of projects are considered "alternatives" to traditional highway construction.
Under federal law, the TPB is responsible for selecting projects using sub-allocations of each state’s TA Set-Aside funding. The latest TPB-funded projects are listed below:
District of Columbia (FY 2023 - 2024)
- Anacostia River Trail
- Green Infrastructure Remote Monitoring
- Green Infrastructure Pilot Program
- Joyce Road Trail and Beach Drive Trail
- Washington Union Station East Hall Alcoves
- 11th Street NW Safety Improvements
More information about these DC projects
Maryland (FY 2024)
- LaPlata Bikeway: Radio Station Road Sidepath
- Forest Glen Road Sidewalk
- New Design Road Sidepath Phase 2
- Industrial Drive Path Connection
- Fleet and Monroe Complete Streets
- Brunswick Comfort Station
More information about FY 2024 Maryland projects
Information about Maryland FY 2023 projects
Virginia (FY 2025 - 2026)
- Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) Curb Extensions, City of Alexandria
- Chain Bridge Road Shared Use Path, City of Fairfax
- Fern Street Neighborhood Connection, City of Fairfax
- Shrevewood Elementary School SRTS, Fairfax County
- FCPS Non-Infrastructure Program, Fairfax County
- Lake Braddock SRTS, Fairfax County
- Central Elden Walkability Improvements, Herndon
- North Berlin Pike Shared Use Path, Lovettsville
- East Broad Way Sidewalk, Lovettsville
- Manassas Drive Sidewalk Improvements, Manassas Park
- Graham Road Park Sidewalk, Prince William County
- Lions Field Road Sidewalk, Prince William County
- G Street Sidewalk Improvements, Purcellville
- Locust St Trail Improvement, Vienna
More information about these Virginia projects
The TA Set-Aside Program provides the TPB with the chance to promote walkable and bikeable communities in all corners of our region. Every year, the states in our region each receive an allocation of TA Set-Aside funding. Under federal law, the TPB is responsible for selecting projects using sub-allocations of each state’s funding. For our region, the TPB works with the state DOTs in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia to solicit applications for the program and to select projects. Applicants must provide a minimum 20 percent match.
The TPB encourages applications that support regional transportation priorities, including projects focused on Activity Centers, access to transit, regional trails, access for disadvantaged communities, and ADA improvements. In particular, the TPB is interested in applications focused on the region’s Transit Access Focus Areas and the National Capital Trail Network.
For more information about application procedures in the TPB’s three states, please see the state DOT webpages below:
District Department of Transportation - Transportation Alternatives Program
Maryland Department of Transportation - Transportation Alternatives Program
Virginia Department of Transportation - Transportation Alternatives (TA) Set Aside Program
The following entities in the TPB's planning area are eligible to apply for TA Set-Aside funding: Local Governments (County, City, or Town); Regional Transportation Authorities; Transit Agencies; Natural Resource or Public Land Agencies; School Districts and Agencies. The federal FAST Act also allows nonprofit entities responsible for the administration of local transportation safety programs to apply. Nonprofits are eligible to partner with any eligible entity on an eligible project, if state or local requirements permit.
The TPB administers its role in this program as a component of its Transportation Land-Use Connections (TLC) Program. The TPB encourages past recipients of TLC assistance to consider seeking TA Set-Aside funding.
The TA Set-Aside, which is part of the Federal Surface Transportation Block Grant Program, was previously known as the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and that name is still commonly used.
Review past TA Set-Aside projects (list, map).