Program Guidance for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's (PennDOT's) Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program (TA Set-Aside) is now available. The application cycle officially opens July 14, 2025. At least $70 Million Statewide and approximately $17 Million Regionally will be available during the 2025 Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside program
A webinar is being offered to potential applicants on July 9, 2025 at 10 AM.
Join Meeting:
OR
Call-in Info:
- Phone: 267-332-8737
- Conference ID: 647 737 034#
While participation in the webinar is not required, it is highly recommended that sponsors or their designated project consultants attend.
PennDOT has developed a website to provide general information and all the resources necessary for the TA Set-Aside Program, including Program Guidance, the funding application, contact information, and other resources. PennDOT’s TA Set-Aside Program funding site can be accessed via this link: Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (penndot.gov).
The application system for this TASA round will remain the same as previous years. Sponsors will be required to register in the system prior to beginning their application. Detailed registration and application instructions are located in Appendix A and B of the guidance.
Project sponsors must now submit a Pre-Application, and meet with their PennDOT District and Planning Partner before completing and submitting a Final Application.
The Pre-Application, which must be submitted through the application system no later than September 5, 2025, by 4:00 PM, will collect project sponsor information, project details, and the proposed project alignment/location, which will be used for screening of the project. Submission of this Pre-Application will initiate a workflow to the corresponding PennDOT District. Upon receiving and reviewing this Pre-Application, PennDOT District staff will schedule a meeting with the project sponsor and Planning Partner to discuss the project. Meetings must be scheduled at least one month before the final applications are due. Final applications must be submitted no later than October 31 by 4:00 PM.
If you would like to discuss your project with DVRPC staff prior to submitting a pre-application, please use this Regional Program Interest Form to request a meeting, and we will reach out to learn about your project and help where needed.
Project Eligibility
Examples of eligible TA Set-Aside projects include:
- Enhancing bicycle or pedestrian facilities
- Improve access to public transportation
- Create safe routes to schools
- Conversion of abandoned railway corridors to trails
- Overlooks and viewing areas
- Historic preservation and rehab of historic transportation facilities
- Vegetation management
- Wildlife mortality mitigation projects
Local governments, regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, natural resource or public land agencies, school districts, local education agencies, or schools, and tribal governments are eligible to apply for the competitive TA Set-Aside funds.
If you have questions please reach out to Joe Banks, jbanks@dvrpc.org or Joe Natale, jnatale@dvrpc.org.
Technical Assistance
As part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), federal funding for our region, DVRPC has hired a consultant to perform pre-application related engineering tasks at no cost to the municipalities for projects eligible for the Transportation Alternatives Set Aside Program (TASA). This technical assistance includes project development and pre-application engineering, including but not limited to:
- Cost Estimation
- Deed & Utility Research
- Environmental Research
- Analysis of Project Constraints
- Conceptual Plans
- Logical Termini Identification and Phasing Plans
If you're interested in utilizing this technical assistance, please fill out this Google Form to request a meeting with DVRPC and our consultant:
Technical Assistance Meeting Request
Note: This pre-application Technical Assistance does not fund or replace the preliminary engineering or final design required for PennDOT projects, which are the responsibility of the sponsor.
Additional Documentation
TASA 2025 Statewide Program Guidance
TASA 2023 Statewide Program Guidance
Awarded 2023, 2021, 2018, 2016, & 2014 TA Projects
Additional Notes
Recreational Trails Program remains unchanged from SAFETEA-LU. The process is still administered through DCNR’s Community Recreation and Conservation Program, which is conducted annually.
There are several Transportation Enhancement activities that are no longer eligible under the Transportation Alternatives Program:
- Safety and educational activities for pedestrians and bicycles for non-SRTS projects.
- Acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites.
- Scenic or historic highway programs (including visitor and welcome centers).
- Historic preservation as an independent activity unrelated to historic transportation facilities.
- 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.
Resources
- FHWA Transportation Alternatives Guidance
- FHWA Bicycle and Pedestrian Guidance Information
- PENNDOT DESIGN MANUALS AND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
- Publication 13M (DM-2) [pdf]
- Publication 740 - Local Project Delivery Manual [pdf]
- Purchase AASHTO Bike Guide
- PA Trail Design and Development [pdf]
- The Circuit Trails