Systems Planning

TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM (TA SET-ASIDE OR TAP)

The Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TA Set-Aside or TAP) Program is a new iteration of the former Transportation Enhancements (later Transportation Alternatives) program that has been in existence since 1991. The most recent transportation authorization act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), was enacted in 2021. Implementation of this act formally allows Iowa DOT to suballocate funds to Iowa’s Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and Regional Planning Affiliations (RPAs) for competitive selection of projects according to federal and state guidance. Eligible project activities continue to include a variety of smaller-scale transportation projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, recreational trails, safe routes to school projects, and community improvements such as historic preservation, vegetation management, and some environmental mitigation related to storm water and habitat connectivity. View detailed information about the program.

Funding for eligible projects can be accessed in two ways:

1. The Statewide TA Set-Aside program will receive applications for projects with a statewide and multi-regional impact, that will complete significant trail linkages, or that will assist safe routes to school efforts.
   
   Applications for this program will be submitted directly to the Iowa DOT. A Notice of Funding Opportunity will be released when Iowa DOT is accepting applications.


2. Access to funding for smaller, local projects is dependent on geographic location.
   
   In support of the state’s history of encouraging regional planning through these organizations, a majority of funding is distributed to Iowa’s MPOs and RPAs to directly select projects through a regional competitive project selection process.

The Iowa DOT will retain $5 million from each federal apportionment year to administer a Statewide TAP program while the remaining funding is suballocated to the MPOs and RPAs. The map below will provide application submittal deadlines for MPO or RPA competitive application cycles based on the project location.

TO FIND YOUR MPO OR RPA AND SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR A REGIONAL TA SET-ASIDE PROJECT:

Zoom in on the map below and click on your project location. Contact information will appear for your local MPO or RPA along with a link to the organization’s website and any announced deadline for applications from your area.

Statewide TAP Application Summary and Funding Cycles