On July 6, 2012, President Obama signed into law P.L. 112-141, the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21)......MAP-21 is expected to provide Massachusetts with a level of federal funding comparable to that provided in recent years under the previous transportation funding authorization, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU)..... MAP-21 consolidates existing transportation funding programs as established in SAFETEA-LU. Most highway funding will be distributed through four core programs, while MAP-21 eliminates or consolidates a number of transit programs, and converts a significant amount of program funding that is currently discretionary to formula funding. The FY2014-FY2017 STIP and its underlying TIPs represent the first implementation of the MAP-21 funding categories for the full TIP/STIP development process (the FY2013-2016 TIPs and STIP were revised after their completion to reflect new MAP-21 funding categories).
The following is a summary of the various federal funding categories under MAP-21, including descriptions of the funding programs, eligible expenditures, eligible project proponents, and required non-federal match.
Federal Highway Administration
MassDOT divides the federal highway funding that it receives between “regional target funding,” which is allocated at the discretion of the MPOs for regional priority projects on the federal aid transportation system, and funding that is allocated at MassDOT’s discretion for use principally on the state-owned transportation system.
National Highway Performance Program (NHPP)
Program Description
The new NHPP provides support for the condition and performance of the National Highway System (NHS), for the construction of new facilities on the NHS, and for investments of Federal-aid funds in highway construction that support progress toward the achievement of performance targets established in a State's asset management plan for the NHS.
The NHPP replaces programs with dedicated funding for repair by consolidating the Interstate Maintenance, National Highway System, and Highway Bridge Repair programs. Under MAP-21, the NHS has been expanded to comprise approximately 220,000 miles of rural and urban roads serving major population centers, international border crossings, intermodal transportation facilities, and major travel destinations. It includes:
- The Interstate System.
- All principal arterials (including those not previously designated as part of the NHS) and border crossings on those routes.
- Intermodal connectors -- highways that provide motor vehicle access between the NHS and major intermodal transportation facilities.
- STRAHNET -- the network of highways important to U.S. strategic defense.
- STRAHNET connectors to major military installations.
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Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)
Program Description
The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) is a competitive grant program created by the federal Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). TAP provides funding for a variety of transportation projects types, including projects that would previously have been eligible for funding under separate programs: the Transportation Enhancements, Recreational Trails, and Safe Routes to School programs.....
Eligible activities
In accordance with MAP-21, Massachusetts TAP funds may be used for the following types of projects:
- Construction, planning, and design of on-road and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-motorized forms of transportation (including sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, pedestrian and bicycle signals, traffic calming techniques, lighting and other safety-related infrastructure, and transportation related projects to achieve compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990)
- Construction, planning and design of infrastructure-related projects and systems that provide safe routes for non-drivers (including children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities) to access daily needs
- Conversion and use of abandoned railroad corridors for trails for pedestrians, bicyclists, or other non-motorized transportation users
- Construction of turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas
- .....
Ineligible activities
In accordance with MAP-21, the Transportation Alternatives Program does not include eligibility for certain activities that were previously eligible as transportation enhancements:
- Safety and educational activities for pedestrians and bicycles. Exception: Activities targeting children in Kindergarten through 8th grade are eligible under SRTS (an eligible activity under the TAP funding). Note: Some of these activities may be eligible under HSIP. Non-construction projects for bicycle safety remain broadly eligible for STP funds.
- Acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites.
Scenic or historic highway programs (including visitor and welcome centers). Note: A few specific activities under this category (construction of turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas) remain eligible.
- Historic preservation as an independent activity unrelated to historic transportation facilities. Note: Historic preservation and rehabilitation of historic transportation facilities are permitted as one type of community improvement activity.
- Operation of historic transportation facilities.
- Archaeological planning and research undertaken for proactive planning. This category now must be used only as mitigation for highway projects.
- Transportation museums.
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