Official Site of The State of New Jersey

The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) was established by Congress in 2012 under MAP-21. The FAST Act in 2015, replaced the TAP program with a set-aside of funds under the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG) funded through a proportional set-aside of the core Federal-aid Highway Program. This has been maintained under the new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law(BIL). The Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TA Set-Aside) program provides federal funds for community based “non-traditional” surface transportation projects designed to strengthen the cultural, aesthetic, and environmental aspects of the nation’s intermodal system. TA Set-Aside projects must relate to surface transportation.

• Design and construction of on-road and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized forms of transportation
• Conversion and use of abandoned railroad corridors for trails for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized transportation users.
• Construction of scenic turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas.
• Historic preservation and rehabilitation of historic transportation facilities both land and water such as building structures and canals.
• Community improvement activities, specifically: streetscaping and corridor landscaping.
• Environmental mitigation to address stormwater management, control, and water pollution prevention or abatement related to highway construction or due to highway runoff.
• Reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality or to restore and maintain connectivity among terrestrial or aquatic habitats.

Design Assistance (2023)

NJDOT is pleased to announce the TA Set-aside Design Assistance Program (pdf 2.3M). This pilot program makes available consultant engineering services to assist Local Public Agencies (LPA's) with the development of plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E) for their TA Set-Aside projects. Recipients of NJDOT's 2020 TA Set-Aside grants are eligible to participate in the program. The program was developed by NJDOT as part of the FHWA's Every Day Counts initiative and is intended to shorten time, reduce costs, and improve quality in the delivery of NJDOT TA Set-Aside projects.

NJDOT has established a pool of engineering design consultants through a quality based selection process. This pool can aid LPAs in the project delivery process by reducing the time required to procure professional services, ensure the consultant selection process is compliant with federal Brooks Act requirements, and provides the LPA with NJDOT prequalified, cost basis approved designers to aid in the development of PS&E submissions for their eligible TA Set-Aside project.

Information is avialable for the four firms in the consultant pool:

• McCormick Taylor, Inc.
• NV5, Inc.
• STV, Inc.
• Greenman-Pedersen, Inc.
• Michael Baker International, Inc.

Some highlights of the TA Set-Aside Design Assistance Program are:

• Participation in the TAP Design Assistance Program is at the sole discretion of the LPA.
• Recipients of 2020 TA Set Aside grants are eligible to participate in the program.
• NJDOT will participate in eligible design costs if an LPA elects to participate in the program.
• The TA Set-Aside Design Assistance Program is a reimbursement program.
• Costs and fees for the work to be performed will be negotiated by the LPA with the firm of their choice.
• Contracts for the work to be performed will be between the LPA and the firm. All federal requirements apply.
• Total costs and fees shall not exceed $750,000.

Please contact NJDOT's Local Aid and Economic Development at 609-963-2021 if you are an eligible TA Set-Aside recipient interested in the TA Set-Aside Design Assistance Program.

Documentation

• Federal Aid Handbook (pdf 240k)
• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Guidance for Transportation Alternatives Program
• 2023 North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) TA Set-Aside Grant Recipients
• 2023 South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization (SJTPO) TA Set-Aside Grant Recipients
• 2023 Delaware Valley Reginal Planning Commission(DVRPC) TA Set-Aside Grant Recipients
• 2020 North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) TA Set-Aside Grant Recipients
• 2020 Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) TA Set-Aside Grant Recipients
• 2020 South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization (SJTPO) TA Set-Aside Grant Recipients
• Sample 2023 TA Set-Aside Application on SAGE (pdf 961K)
• Transportation Alternatives Frequently Asked Questions (pdf 485K)
• Transportation Alternatives sample Resolution (pdf 152k)
• Transportation Alternatives Program Handbook (pdf 1.2M)