Transportation Alternatives Program

About the TA Program

The Transportation Alternatives (TA) Program is a competitive federal grant program that funds projects which:

  • enhance active transportation systems,
  • construct wayside rest areas for motorists,
  • support transportation-related community improvements,
  • mitigate environmental harm in transportation rights-of-way,
  • further Safe Routes to School programs, and
  • develop multi-modal surface transportation corridors.

In Northeast Minnesota, applicants may apply for between $100,000 and $600,000 to cover 80% of their proposed project costs; state or local funding must provide a 20% match. The grant solicitation opens annually each October, with letters of intent due at the end of October and full applications due in early January. Projects must be completed within four years after being awarded to have eligible project expenses reimbursed.

GRANT MATERIALS

Materials for the 2022-23 grant solicitation are available below. This solicitation window is open from October 3, 2022, through January 13, 2023. Award decisions will be made and communicated to applicants by April 14, 2023, at the latest.

RECENT TA GRANT RECIPIENTS

2022 (Programmed to Receive Funds in Fiscal Year 2026)

  • Campus Connector Segment 5: The City of Duluth will receive $384,091 in federal funding to construct a paved trail segment designated for non-motorized use and connecting existing segments of the City’s Campus Connector Trail.
  • Multimodal Trail Center: The City of Silver Bay will receive $515,909 in federal funding to construct a multi-functional trailhead facility that includes the redevelopment of a community center with separate and safe access to multi-modal recreation trails, and conveniently located to local businesses and other community recreational amenities.

2021 (Programmed to Receive Funds in Fiscal Year 2025)

  • TH 73 Trail Phase II:  The City of Moose Lake will receive $300,000 in federal funding to construct a paved trail segment of the City’s trail loop in Moose Lake.
  • Main Street (TH 135) Renewal Project:  The City of Biwabik will receive $300,000 in federal funding to enhance Main Street amenities, including lighting, benches, and landscaping, in Biwabik.
  • Highway 61 Trail Connection:  The City of Two Harbors will receive $300,000 in federal funding to construct a paved trail and enhance pedestrian and bicycle amenities along Highway 61 in Two Harbors.

2020 (Programmed to Receive Funds in Fiscal Year 2024)

  • CSAH 55 (22nd Street) Multi-Use Path:  Carlton County will receive $640,000 in federal funding to construct a multi-use concrete path connecting Cloquet Middle/High School to surrounding neighborhoods in Cloquet.
  • Gitchi-Gami State Trail – Two Harbors to Flood Bay Wayside:  The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will receive $630,000 in federal funding to construct a paved trail segment of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail in Two Harbors.
  • James L. Oberstar Trail Segment:  Pine County will receive $640,000 in federal funding to construct a paved trail segment of the James L. Oberstar State Trail connecting Pine City and Rock Creek.

2019 (Programmed to Receive Funds in Fiscal Year 2023)

  • Cross City Trail:  The City of Duluth will receive $920,000 in federal funding to construct a paved trail designated for non-motorized use and connecting existing segments of the Cross City Trail in the Irving neighborhood of Duluth.
  • CSAH 14 (Boundary Avenue) Sidewalk:  St. Louis County will receive $300,000 in federal funding to construct a sidewalk and necessary retaining wall along CSAH 14 along the boundary of the city of Duluth and the city of Proctor.
  • Third Street Accessibility Improvements: The City of Duluth will receive $530,000 in federal funding to improve accessibility along 3rd St in Duluth.

2018 (Programmed to Receive Funds in Fiscal Year 2022)

  • Aitkin Trail Extension:  The City of Aitkin will receive $192,000 in federal funding to construct a paved trail designated for non-motorized use and making community connections to fresh food and recreation areas.
  • French River Wayside Rehabilitation:  St. Louis County will receive $480,000 in federal funding to make ADA enhancements, parking lot improvements, and safety improvements at French River Wayside on Scenic Highway 61 in Duluth Township.
  • Fond du Lac Safe Routes to School Infrastructure:  The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa will receive $228,000 in federal funding to construct a paved trail and sidewalk network for non-motorized use and making connections to tribal facilities and the Fond du Lac Ojibwe School within Fond du Lac Reservation.

2017 (Programmed to Receive Funds in Fiscal Year 2021)

  • Deer River Trail:  Itasca County will receive $300,000 in federal funding to construct a paved trail designated for non-motorized use and making several connections within the cities of Deer River and Zemple.
  • Gitchi-Gami State Trail – Lutsen Segment:  The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will receive $600,000 in federal funding to construct a 1.55-mile segment of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail connecting residences, employment opportunities, and key tourism destinations in the Lutsen community.

2016 (Programmed to Receive Funds in Fiscal Year 2020)

  • Mesabi Trail – St. Louis County Road 88 to Ely:  The St. Louis and Lake Counties Regional Railroad Authority will receive $300,000 in federal funding to construct a 3-mile-long segment of the Mesabi Trail making connection into the City of Ely.
  • Brighton Beach Shared Use Path:  The City of Duluth will receive $300,000 in federal funding to construct a non-motorized, multi-use path through Brighton Beach Park to connect bicycle lanes on North Shore Scenic Drive with the Lakewalk as part of the development of a bicycle commuter trail the length of the City of Duluth.
  • Grand Rapids Corridor Improvement Project:  The City of Grand Rapids will receive $300,000 in federal funding to improve pedestrian and bicycle connections between the cities of Grand Rapids and Cohasset with a non-motorized trail along U.S. Highway 2/NW 4th Street.

2015 (Programmed to Receive Funds in Fiscal Year 2019)

  • Highway 61 Redesign in Grand Marais:  The City of Grand Marais will receive $600,000 in federal funding to build continuous pedestrian and bicycle facilities, making necessary storm water improvements, along the Highway 61 corridor through Grand Marais.
  • St. Louis River Trail – Phase II:  The City of Scanlon will receive $300,000 in federal funding to construct a paved, non-motorized trail as an extension of the St. Louis River Trail through Scanlon’s community corridor, making connections to local businesses and connecting users to Scanlon River Park.

About the TA Task Force

The Transportation Alternatives (TA) Task Force is a task force of the ATP which meets to score and rank regional applications for TA funding each February.

MEMBERSHIP

The TA Task Force consists of thirteen (13) members. Visit the membership page to access a list of current members.