Adam RollinsPennsylvania residents will find it safer to travel as local entities will soon be able to access up to $80 million from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to improve multimodal, pedestrian and bicyclist infrastructure.
The agency announced the availability as part of the latest round of the Transportation Alternatives (TA) Set-Aside program. Applications will officially open July 15. Draft applications must be submitted by September 5. Final submissions are due by Oct. 31.
PennDOT will distribute the money to help recipients:
- Build pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
- Improve public transportation access.
- Convert abandoned railway corridors to trails.
- Create safe routes to school.
- Preserve historic transportation facilities.
- Manage stormwater and vegetation.
- Mitigate wildlife mortality and preserve habitat connectivity.
- Execute vulnerable road user safety assessment program projects.
Notably, the TA Set-Aside program is not a grant program and does not require an applicant match. Awarded funds can only be used to help cover construction costs. The program has a maximum $1.5 million award, though “exceptional” projects may receive higher amounts as determined by PennDOT.
Entities that are eligible to apply for funding include:
- Local governments.
- Regional transportation authorities.
- Transit agencies.
- Natural resource or public land agencies.
- School districts, local education agencies or schools.
- Tribal governments.
- Metropolitan Planning Organizations representing areas with a population of 200,000 or fewer.
- Local or regional governmental entities that oversee transportation or recreational trails deemed eligible by the state.
PennDOT will announce award recipients after meeting to discuss recommended projects in March 2026.
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