The Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act eliminates the MAP-21 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and replaces it with a set-aside of Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) program funding for transportation alternatives (TA). These set-aside funds include all projects and activities that were previously eligible under TAP*. The law requires selection of projects through a competitive process.
The application period is CLOSED. Below is the tentative schedule and funding amounts for the next call for applications in 2025.
Schedule
| January 10, 2025 | Call for Applications is released |
| April 9, 2025, 11:59 PM MST | Application deadline |
| July/August 2025 | Application scoring is complete and tentative awarded projects announced |
| September/October 2025 | Tentative awarded projects presented to the Transportation Commission for approval |
| November/December 2025 | Funding, Construction & Maintenance Agreements are executed for each project |
| January 2026 | Project development begins |
| 2027 – 2029 | Project bidding and construction |
| Statewide TA Call for Applications (Administered by MDT) | |
| <5,000 and 5,000 - 50,000 population - Capital Improvement | $7,193,837 |
| <5,000 and 5,000 - 50,000 population - Path/sidewalk Pavement Preservation | $799,315 |
| <5,000 and 5,000 - 50,000 population Subtotal | $7,993,152 |
| 5,000 - 50,000 population - Capital Improvement | $1,205,619 |
| 5,000 - 50,000 population - Path/sidewalk Pavement Preservation | $133,958 |
| 5,000 - 50,000 population Subtotal | $1,339,577 |
| MPO TA Call for Applications (Administered by each MPO) | |
| Billings MPO | $1,784,111 |
| Gallatin Valley MPO | $1,399,044 |
| Great Falls MPO | $918,444 |
| Helena MPO | $1,349,833 |
| Missoula MPO | $1,215,839 |
| MPO Areas (>50,000 population) Subtotal | $6,667,271 |
| All TA Funding TOTAL | $16,000,000 |
If you have questions about the TA Program, please contact:
Dave Holien
Transportation Alternatives Engineer
Montana Department of Transportation
406-444-6118 |
* Eligible activities include a variety of smaller-scale transportation projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, recreational trails, safe routes to school projects, community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation management, and environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity. Montana's Recreational Trails Program is administered by the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Department. RTP applicants can also apply for TA and RTP funding. MDT and FWP will keep each agency informed of awards granted through their programs. Information on the RTP can be found on the Recreation Grants website.