IDT - Transportation Alternatives Program - Metropolitan Planning Organization +200,000 population selected Grant

The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) in Illinois, created under MAP-21, supports non-motorized transportation projects through the CMAP. This initiative focuses on funding bicycle facility projects and the Northeastern Illinois Regional Greenways and Trails Plan. Eligible applicants include city and county governments, educational organizations, and for-profit entities. Projects must enhance regional connectivity and support inclusive growth, contributing to a sustainable transportation network across jurisdictions.

Transportation Alternatives Program - Metropolitan Planning Organization +200,000 population selected
Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) created the new Transportation Alternatives program (TAP), also known as Transportation Alternative Program - Locally Programmed - CMAP to fund non-motorized transportation and gave larger MPOs such as CMAP the responsibility to program a portion of a state’s apportionment. The suballocation programmed by CMAP is referred to as locally programmed Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP-L).
TAP-L can fund non-motorized transportation infrastructure but CMAP through the guidance of the MPO Policy Committee and the CMAP Board has dedicated the use of TAP-L funds to the completion of Northeastern Illinois Regional Greenways and Trails Plan (RGTP) and funding bicycle facility projects. The RGTP is a long-range, multi-jurisdictional plan which envisions a network of continuous greenway and trail corridors, linked across jurisdictions and providing transportation opportunities. The plan provides conceptual alignments for the plan trail network and assists implementers in advancing their projects. The RGTP was last updated in 2019 and a map along with recommended actions is available at www.cmap.illinois.gov/mobility/walking-and-bicycling/greenwaysand-trails.
Bicycle facility projects submitted for consideration must be featured in an adopted or approved planning document and have started Phase I engineering. There is an exemption to the engineering requirement for hardship communities. If a bicycle facility project meets the above screening criteria it will be evaluated on how it helps complete the RGTP, improves the overall bicycle environment, connects population and employment concentrations, and helps promote inclusive growth in the northeastern Illinois region. The FFY 2026-2030 application booklet provides further guidance on the screening criteria and evaluation criteria.

Eligibility

Foreign Applicants
For-Profit OrganizationsEligible sponsors include local governments, regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, natural resource or public land agencies, school districts, and any other local or regional governmental entity with responsibility for oversight of transportation or recreational trails.

Ineligibility

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and non-profit agencies are not eligible sponsors of TAP-L-funded projects but may partner with an eligible project sponsor to carry out a project.