The Oklahoma Transportation Commission approved $7.5 million to be awarded to 21 local projects Monday as part of the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). Projects are outside of the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro areas and have populations of 5,000 or less.
TAP is federally funded through the Federal Highway Administration and administered by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT). Applicants must fund at least 20 percent of the total cost of the projects while federal funding is up to 80 percent.
TAP provides funding for programs and projects defined as transportation alternatives such as streetscapes, historical preservation, environmental projects, pedestrian and bicycle trails, sidewalks, and safe routes to schools.
ODOT worked with regional planning districts to review applications. There were 71 eligible projects requesting $36 million in funds.
Project rewards range from $52,200 to 689,194.
A total of $166,520 was granted to install ADA compliant sidewalks connecting schools to new safe-room shelters and to upgrade pedestrian and bicycle safety conditions for school children in Elmore City.
A total of $137,357 was awarded to install new sidewalks and walking trails in Kaw City, connecting the Kaw City Community Center, the Kaw City Museum, the Senior Citizens Building, the city park, and the post office.