Grants support ‘non-traditional transportation’ projects in Madison and Greensboro
Summary
A joint state and federal grant program has awarded more than $800,000 to two lake area cities to develop specialized transportation projects. The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) focuses on providing local governments in smaller communities the chance to pursue “non-traditional […]
A joint state and federal grant program has awarded more than $800,000 to two lake area cities to develop specialized transportation projects.
The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) focuses on providing local governments in smaller communities the chance to pursue “non-traditional transportation” projects.
According to their website, this includes “pedestrian facilities, bicycle facilities, and pedestrian streetscaping projects. TAP improves the quality of life for citizens in communities across the state by providing local governments the means to pursue projects that might not otherwise be possible.”
This year they awarded more than $4.5 million to nine different communities around the state. Only areas of the state with a population below 200,000 are eligible to apply for the program.
“This is a program to support and kind of reward those local communities and local governments that have these alternative transportation plans,” said Kyle Collins, spokesman for the Eastern District of the Georgia Department of Transportation.
While 80% of the funding comes from federal partners at the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the remaining 20% is paid for by the local government.
PROJECT DETAILS:
Madison: “Construct approximately 2,500 feet of new sidewalk as well as pedestrian crosswalks; demolish and reconstruct the Wellington Park trail, which will yield approximately 850 feet of reconstructed sidewalk to be ADA compliant; and construct approximately 2,710 feet of natural boardwalk trails, providing connectivity to 25 percent of the city of Madison’s population. The city was awarded $430,000 to begin preliminary engineering on the project.”
Greensboro: “Construct streetscape improvements in downtown Greensboro along North West Street from Greene Street to State Route 12/Broad Street and along Broad Street from North West Street to SR 15/Siloam Road. The city was awarded $401,000 for the right of way phase of the project that covers 1,650 feet of streetscapes.”
Local governments can apply for these grants each year. Find out more here: http://www.dot.ga.gov/IS/Funding/TAP.