The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) recently awarded 35 projects more than $97 million in Federal Highway Administration’s Transportation Alternatives Program funding.
The program supports initiatives that facilitate the use of nonmotorized modes of travel that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance safety and improve access to the transportation system for all users. The selected projects promote environmentally friendly modes of travel such as biking hiking or walking.
“By investing in alternative modes of travel, we are expanding access to all users of the system while also making our communities stronger and more sustainable,” NYSDOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said.
Of the more than $97 million, $52.8 million was awarded to improve sidewalks, pedestrian, and bicycle safety neighborhoods, community destinations, and activity centers; $16.5 million was awarded to create and expand trailway networks, $16.9 million was awarded to advance safe routes to school; and $11 million was awarded to strengthen multimodal connections.
Projects were selected based on established criteria. Grants are between $527,200 and $7 million with NYSDOT providing up to 80 percent of the total eligible project costs.
The grants align with the state’s strategic goals of enhancing accessibility, multimodal connectivity, strengthening improving transportation safety, and supporting mobility for communities statewide.