The South Dakota Transportation Commission recently awarded 16 projects approximately $9.5 million in Transportation Alternatives grants for sidewalk, trail, and shared use path projects.
The program uses federal transportation funds for specific activities that enhance the inter-modal transportation system and provide safe alternative transportation options. Projects include environmental mitigation related to storm water and habitat connectivity, historic preservation, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, recreational trails, safe routes to school, and vegetation management. They are not required to be located on federal-aid highways.
Annually, the South Dakota Department of Transportation Office of Project Development makes approximately $8 million available through a competitive selection process. The minimum grant for infrastructure projects is $50,000, and projects require a minimum local match of 18.05 percent. There is no minimum for non-infrastructure projects.
Eligible activities are boulevards and other roadways largely in the right-of-way of former interstate system routes or other divided highways; construction, planning, and design of infrastructure-related projects and systems that provide safe routes for non-drivers; construction, planning, and design of on-road and off-road trail facilities; conversion and use of abandoned railroad corridors for trails; environmental mitigation; implementation of the Safe Routes to School Program; and planning and implementation of community improvement activities.