Transportation Alternatives Program – Metropolitan Planning Organization +200,000 population selected
🏛 Illinois Department of Transportation
Can you apply?
This grant is for transportation projects in Illinois metro areas with 200,000+ population. Metropolitan Planning Organizations, cities, counties, and transportation authorities can apply. Nonprofits may only apply for safety-related projects. Eligible projects include pedestrian/bicycle facilities, recreational trails, safe routes to school, historic preservation, stormwater management, and habitat connectivity work.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
Program description
The TAP program provides a fund source for 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. Provide transportation alternatives.
Metropolitan Planning Organization +200,000 population All TAP projects to be funded through a competitive process. Eligible applicants include all entities that were eligible to apply for TAP funds. Further uses and restrictions are available per MPO. Non-profit organizations are only eligible applicants for safety related projects. Beneficiaries: N/A Federal Assistance Listing: 20.205 — Highway Planning and Construction20.287 – Surface Transportation Block Grant Program. Administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 494-00-1461).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Project narrative/description
- Budget and cost-sharing documentation
- Maps and project location details
- Environmental review documentation (as applicable)
- Local or MPO approval/support letter
Program contact
- 👤 Adam Gabany
- 📧 Adam.Gabany@illinois.gov
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 20.205 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$1,034,437,050
-
$635,177,703
-
$619,100,074
-
$533,192,000
-
$488,422,692
-
$480,295,260
-
$446,503,594
-
$417,644,437
-
$415,030,126
-
$400,000,000
Top States by Funding
- TX 25 awards $6,354.3M
- CA 14 awards $2,964.4M
- FL 9 awards $2,498.8M
- NC 7 awards $2,155.0M
- NY 4 awards $799.9M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Illinois state appropriations. How funding has trended year over year.
| 2018 | $10,000,000 | |
| 2019 | $10,000,000 | |
| 2020 | $10,000,000 | |
| 2021 | $57,937,910 | |
| 2023 | $90,000,000 | |
| 2024 | $1,170,320 | |
| 2025 | $1,170,320 | |
| 2026 | $56,266,383 |
FAQ
Who can apply for TAP funding?
MPOs, cities, counties, and transportation authorities in regions with 200,000+ population are eligible. Nonprofits may only apply for safety-related projects.
What types of projects does TAP fund?
Pedestrian/bicycle facilities, trails, safe routes to school, historic preservation, vegetation management, and stormwater/habitat projects.
Is cost-sharing required?
Yes, this grant requires cost-sharing. Check with your MPO for specific match percentages.
Are there application deadlines?
Deadline is July 31, 2026. Check your local MPO for rolling submission windows or earlier state-level deadlines.
What is the typical funding range?
Awards range from $125,000 to $1,400,000 depending on project scope and local prioritization.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Coordinate with your Metropolitan Planning Organization early. They manage the competitive selection process and can provide local priorities.
- Focus applications on demonstrated community need and safety benefits when applicable.
- Document cost-sharing commitments clearly in your budget.
- Include clear project timelines and realistic completion schedules.
- Emphasize equity and accessibility benefits to strengthen competitiveness.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to coordinate with your MPO before applying. Submitting projects that fall outside eligible categories. Underestimating cost-sharing requirements and local match percentages.
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