Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)

Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) is sponsored by North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT). Supports pedestrian and bicycle projects in North Dakota.

Transportation Alternatives (TA) | NDDOT Transportation Alternatives (TA) Transportation Alternatives (TA) provides funding for programs and projects defined as transportation alternatives. These include pedestrian and bicycle facilities, Safe Routes to School projects, safe routes for non-drivers, community improvement activities and environmental mitigation projects.

Eligible Project Applicants City and county governments Natural resource or public land agencies School districts, local education agencies, or schools Any other local or regional governmental entity with responsibility for or oversight of transportation or recreational trails The amount of funding a project receives will be determined from the cost estimate included with the project application.

Only the contract construction cost of your project is eligible for funding. These costs will be funded with federal aid to a maximum of 80. 93%.

The project sponsor must provide the match of 19. 07%. Items not eligible for funding are preliminary and construction engineering, environmental impact mitigation, right-of-way acquisition, utilities, and construction items determined to be not eligible for federal aid.

These costs are a 100% sponsor responsibility. The maximum award for urban ($290,000) and rural ($200,000) projects has been removed; the amount is no longer capped. Recipient Responsibilities If your project is selected, you will be responsible for obtaining the necessary environmental clearances.

This involves the preparation of an Environmental Document, which includes--but is not limited to--a thorough discussion of the need for the project, what the project entails, geometric design description, environmental impacts, and coordination with local, state and federal agencies. You are responsible for preparing the project plans and specifications.

When your plans and specifications are complete, NDDOT will request the Federal Highway Administration to authorize spending the TA funds. Projects must be ready for construction during the 2028 construction season. Therefore, final plans, permits, certifications, etc., need to be completed and submitted by January 1, 2028, and will be scheduled to be bid in the spring of 2028 .

Federal funds may be lost if the project cannot be bid in the spring of 2028 . Facilities must be designed to reasonably meet the needs of persons with disabilities. In so doing, the participant must comply with all applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Additional Information is available at the U.S. Department of Justice .

All infrastructure projects need to comply with applicable provisions in Title 23, such as project agreements, authorization to proceed prior to incurring costs, etc. In addition, infrastructure projects must comply with Davis-Bacon prevailing wage rates, competitive bidding and other contracting requirements, even for projects not located within the right-of-way of a federal-aid highway.

As part of the Title 23 requirements, all projects must also comply with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations. Most infrastructure projects will likely fall under the categorical exclusions provisions of Title 23 Code of Federal Regulations Section 771. 117 that recognize construction of bicycle and pedestrian lanes, paths and facilities as not involving significant environmental impacts.

All projects funded within a metropolitan planning organization (MPO) must be programmed in a metropolitan planning organization's Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Note: Applicants are responsible for any and all local permits relevant to their project. Please work with your appropriate partners to determine necessary permits.

Deadline for Transportation Alternatives Program Applications: December 31, 2025 Read the 2028 TA Program Letter . Please contact Local Government by one of the methods listed below. Contact: Transportation Alternatives Manager TA Application Instructions Click here to learn how to apply.

Non-profit organizations must partner with an eligible project applicant. Project applications must be submitted to NDDOT through one of the following entities: Board of County Commissioners MPO that serves an urban area with a population of 200,000 or fewer Federal and state agencies All other eligible applicants, including school districts and park districts, need to partner with their respective city.

All projects within the jurisdiction of a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) need to be submitted to the MPO by their respective deadline for MPO approval and submittal to NDDOT. Projects in MPO jurisdictions must be submitted to the local MPO, with the MPO making submittal to NDDOT.

Submittal dates are as follows: Bismarck – Mandan MPO October 15, 2025 Grand Forks – East Grand Forks MPO November 26, 2025 Minot Central Dakota MPO November 24, 2025 Fargo Metro COG (Outside of TMA) November 21, 2025 If you are unsure if your project is within the MPO jurisdiction, contact the MPO office in your area.

MPO contact information is as follows: Grand Forks-East Grand Forks MPO Grand Forks, ND 58206-5200 TMA - Fargo, West Fargo and Horace Transportation Alternative projects within the designated urbanized area of Fargo, West Fargo and Horace are considered TMA projects and must be coordinated with the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments (Metro COG). The TA solicitation for the Fargo-area TMA is conducted by Metro COG.

For any other project outside of the TMA area but within the Metro COG planning area must be submitted to Metro COG and will be considered a Rural project. Rural projects within the Metro COG planning area must be coordinated and submitted to Metro COG, with Metro COG making the submittal to NDDOT. Metro COG submittal date for rural applications is November 21, 2025.

For more information about this solicitation, or if you are unsure if your project is within Metro COG's planning area, please contact Metro COG using the following contact information: Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments (Metro COG) TA Project Selection Criteria To be eligible for the TA program, the proposed project must relate to surface transportation.

For clarification on the eligibility of your project, contact: Local Government Division Email: Transportation Alternatives Manager Does the project benefit the community, region and/or state? Does the project add benefit to the existing transportation system? Does the project provide a high impact or benefit when compared to other projects?

Is the proposed project the appropriate solution for the identified problem, need or opportunity? Has the applicant demonstrated support of other local governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations and/or the general public? Urgency: Is the project part of another project?

Is the project part of an identified plan? Does the project benefit a large segment of the population or a "transportation-disadvantaged" segment, such as children, elderly, low income or disabled? Does the project have the potential to reduce child injuries and fatalities; addresses safety concerns?

Does the project have the potential to create a safer walking and bicycling environment? Does the project encourage walking and bicycling for non-drivers, including children, older adults and individuals with disabilities? Does it reduce traffic, fuel consumption and air pollution in the vicinity of schools?

Does the project identify current and potential safe walking and bicycling routes to schools? TA Project Selection Committee The director of the NDDOT has established the TA Project Selection Committee for selecting TA projects. TA funds will be awarded through a statewide competitive process that is reviewed by the TA Project Selection Committee.

This seven-member group consists of representatives from: North Dakota League of Cities North Dakota Association of Counties North Dakota Parks & Recreation North Dakota Department of Commerce North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission North Dakota Department of Public Instruction North Dakota Department of Transportation Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects The construction of on-street and off-street bicycle and pedestrian facilities The construction of Safe Routes to School projects The construction of projects for non-drivers, including children, older adults and individuals with disabilities Conversion and use of abandoned railroad corridors for trails for pedestrians, bicyclists or other non-motorized transportation users Traffic calming and speed reduction improvements Pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements Secure bicycle parking facilities Traffic diversion improvements in the vicinity of schools Scenic and Environmental Projects Turnouts, overlooks and viewing areas Vegetation management practices in transportation rights-of-way Archaeological activities relating to impacts from implementation of a transportation project Streetscape improvements and corridor landscaping Establishing living snow fences Control and removal of outdoor advertising Environmental mitigation to address water pollution due to highway runoff and reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality while maintaining habitat connectivity Historic preservation and rehabilitation of operating historic transportation facilities Mandan - 3rd Street Southeast Sidewalk Installation Minot - Edison Elementary Safe Routes to School Bismarck - Sunrise Trail Connection Williston - School Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project Watford City - 12th Street Northeast and 4th Avenue Northeast Shared Use Path Maple Valley - Safe Routes to School Stanley - Safe Routes to School Linton - Phase I ADA Ramp Improvements Thompson - North Dakota Highway 15 Shared Use Path Hoople - Shared Use Trail Construction Belfield - 36th Street Southwest and U.S. Highway 85 Shared Use Path Rehab Fort Ransom - State Park Trail Bridges Bottineau Co - Lake Metigoshe Shared Use Path - Oak Creek Ramsey Co - Shared Use Path ADA Improvements and Thin Lift Overlay Billings County – East River Road Shared Use Path Gwinner – Southside Safe Route to School Sidewalk Mandan – 8th Ave NW - Mandan High School Pedestrian Trail Milnor – Main Street to Northview -SRTS Minot – Lewis and Clark and Bel Air Elementary SRTS Regent – ADA Sidewalk Improvements Valley City – Winter Show Road Shared Use Path - Phase 2 Williston – 14th Ave West Pedestrian Improvements Cass County – CR 81/South University Dr Shared Use Path Fargo – Water Reclamation Shared Use Path Barnes Co - Barnes County Multi-Use Path Beulah - Beulah Multi-Use Wellness Trail Bottineau Co - Lake Metigoshe Shared-Use Path - Hwy 43 Loop Burleigh Co - S Washington Trail Extension - Meridian Dr to Sibley Park Crosby - Crosby Multi-Use Path Expansion Ellendale - Ellendale Dakota Prairie Walking Trail Garrison - Garrison Wilderness Park Grand Forks - S 48th St (32nd Ave S to 17th Ave S) Grand Forks Co - Larimore Dam Recreational Area Shared-Use Path Gwinner - Gwinner North Hwy 32 Path Hope - Hope Sidewalk Project Jamestown - Pedestrian Bridge Replacement at McElroy, Nicheus and Klaus Parks Mandan - ND 6 Shared-Use Trail Phase 3 Mandan - Old Red Trail Phase 1 Minot - Edison Elementary School SRTS Minot - Washington Elementary SRTS Mohall - Mohall Central Ave Sidewalks and Lighting ND Parks & Recreation - Cross Ranch State Park - Ma-ak-oti Trail Bridge New Town - New Town Trail System - Phase 1 Ray - Ray Sidewalk Improvements Rutland - Rutland 1st Street Sidewalk Spirit Lake - Spirit Lake Tribe Four Winds Walkway - Crow Hill Connection Standing Rock - Standing Rock Sioux Tribe ND 1806 Fort Yates Shared-Use Path Valley City - Winter Show Road Shared-Use Path - Phase 1 Ward County - Minot to Burlington Multi-Use Path Williston - Valley View Pedestrian Improvements Belfield - 2023 - 2024 Safe Sidewalk & Shared-Use Path Bismarck - Expressway Pedestrian Facility Bismarck - Ash Coulee & Tyler Parkway Trail Bowman - 2023 - 2024 Safe Sidewalk Project Phase 2 Fargo - Bison Village/10th St N Shared-Use Path Gwinner - Northwest Area Sidewalks Hillsboro - I29 Corridor Riverwalk Development Horace - County Road 17 Shared-Use Path Phase 3 Horace - Center Ave Multi-Modal Improvements Milnor - Safe Walk to School Phase 2 Minot - Bel Air Elementary School SRTS Minot - Washington Elementary School SRTS Wahpeton - 14th Street North Sidewalk West Fargo - Eaglewood - The Lights Bike Path Williston - 42nd Street Pedestrian Facilities Beach/Golden Valley Co 3rd Street SW Multi-Use Trail Bismarck Public Schools Safety Improvement Crosby/Divide Co Multi-Use Path Horace/Cass Co County Road 17 Shared-Use Path Mandan Old Red Trail Phase 2 Milnor/Sargent Co Safe Walk to School Minot Edison Elementary School SRTS Watford City/McKenzie Co 2nd Avenue SW Multi-Use Path West Fargo Drain 45 Multi-Use Path Phase 2 Williston River and Park Accessibility Trail Connections Sargent Central Project Bike Rack Grand Forks South Columbia Road Shared-Use Path Hettinger 2020 SRTS Project Richardton Sidewalk Improvements Phase 1 Standing Rock Porcupine Pathway Project West Fargo Drain 45 Multi-Use Path Phase 1 Bottineau County Lake Metigoshe Narrows Viewing Area Bowman 2021-2022 Safe Sidewalk Grand Forks University Ave Shared-Use Path Grenora Public School Sidewalk Project Killdeer Sidewalk Improvement Project Lincoln SRTS Improvements Grand Forks 17th Ave S Shared-Use Path Mandan Fort Lincoln 19th St SE Trail Minot Washington School Sidewalk Pembina County Cavlandic Trail Tioga Signal Road Sidewalk Wahpeton Wheatland Road Shared-Use Path Bismarck South Washington Street Trail Fargo 5th St Shared-Use Path Grand Forks 6th Ave N Shared-Use Path Jamestown Safe Routes to Schools Park River Safe Routes to School Richardton Sidewalk Expansion Tioga Signal Road Sidewalk Beulah Multi-Use Wellness Trail Bismarck Sertoma Park Shared-Use Path Dickinson 21st St to 10th Ave Shared-Use Path Fargo Oak Grove/Memorial Parks Pedestrian Lift Bridge Grafton Safe Routes to School Grand Forks N 55th St Shared-Use Path Powers Lake Powers Lake Safe Routes to School Path Bottineau Co Lake Metigoshe Shared-Use Path Garrison Wilderness Park Improvement Grand Forks Demers Ave Shared-Use Path Northwood Public School Safer Paths to Schools Wahpeton 16th Avenue Shared-Use Path Additional TA Information Transportation Alternatives (TA) Transportation Enhancement (TE) Activities Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program Transportation Alternatives Data Exchange (TrADE) National Center for Safe Routes to School Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center Safe Routes to School National Partnership North Dakota Parks & Recreation (Recreational Trails Program)