Iowa Transportation Commission approves statewide Transportation Alternatives program funding

This news story was published on January 14, 2014.
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AMES, Iowa – Jan. 14, 2014 – Today, the Iowa Transportation Commission (Commission) approved $1 million in total funding for five statewide Transportation Alternatives program projects.

The majority of Transportation Alternatives program funding is distributed to Iowa’s metropolitan planning organizations and regional planning affiliations for the selection of local projects, such as trails, Safe Routes to School, overlooks, and the preservation or rehabilitation of historic transportation facilities. The Commission awards up to $1 million annually toward Transportation Alternatives projects that are statewide in nature.

The projects and approved funding amounts are listed below.

Fayette-Volga River Multiuse Trail (Upper Iowa University and Fayette): $30,000
Iowa’s Living Roadway Project Program (Trees Forever): $354,496
Iowa Safe Routes to School Partnership (Iowa Northland Regional Transportation Authority and Iowa Bicycle Coalition): $123,504
Native Seed as Roadside Vegetation for Diverse Habitat, Soils and Hydrology (University of Northern Iowa and UNI Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management): $392,000
Urban Youth Corps (Iowa Department of Transportation): $100,000

The Transportation Alternatives program was authorized by the most recent federal transportation funding act, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), and replaces the former Transportation Enhancements program. Funding is available to cities, counties, school districts, or other eligible organizations through an annual application-based program.