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NCTCOG FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES 
Transportation Enhancement (TE) Program
The Transportation Enhancement (TE) Program is administered by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Transportation enhancements are provided under the federal transportation legislation Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users Act (SAFETEA-LU). The TE program funds transportation-related activities contributing to quality communities, preserving the environment, encouraging multi-modal travel, and enhancing the aesthetics of roadways. A local match of 20% is required for projects funded through TE.
Click on the Transportation Enhnacement (TE) Program link above to learn more about the Texas TE program or click on the links below for more information.
On October 9, 2009, TxDOT issued the 2009 Call for Projects.
Sustainable Development Call for Projects
The NCTCOG Sustainable Development Program facilitated a Call for Projects in 2001 and again in 2005 to allocate transportation funds to land use projects promoting alternative transportation modes or reduced automobile use in an effort to address mounting air quality, congestion, and quality of life issues. Eligible project types included: infrastructure, land banking, Center of Development Excellence, and Sustainable Development projects. Through the 2005 Call for Projects, more than $16.9 million of funding was awarded to Sustainable Development Projects with bicycle and pedestrian elements.
The recent Call for Projects ended on October 5, 2009.
Click on the Sustainable Development Call for Projects link above to view the projects funded through each Sustainable Development funding initiative.
Local Air Quality Bicycle/Pedestrian Project Recommendations 2006
NCTCOG initiated the 2006 Local Government Air Quality Program in an effort to address the new federal 8-hour ozone standard, and the current non-attainment status of the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Eligible project types included: traffic signals, bicycle/pedestrian connections, park-and-ride reduction programs, air quality outreach and marketing programs, vanpool programs, and other air quality strategies. Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects received more than $9 million in funding through the Local Government Air Quality Program.
Click on the Local Air Quality Bicycle/Pedestrian Project Recommendations 2006 link above to view regional projects that were awarded funding through the 2006 Local Air Quality Funding Initiative.
Regional Tollway Revenue Funding Initiative
NCTCOG announced the Regional Tollway Revenue Funding Initiative in April 2007 and closed the Call for Projects on August 3, 2007. The Regional Tollway Revenue initiative will distribute $2.5 billion in toll proceeds from State Highway 121 to fund roadway, transit, air quality, safety, sustainable development, and bicycle and pedestrian projects. Cost overruns and projects affected by federal recissions will receive priority funding. Of the 561 total projects submitted, the funding request for the 41 bicycle and pedestrian specific projects totals more than $94 million.
Click on the Regional Tollway Funding Initiative link above for the current status of NCTCOG funding recommendations.
NON-NCTCOG FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Safe Routes to School (TxDOT)
Safe Routes to School is a program funded through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The program was established under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), section 1404, federal legislation passed in August 2005. The Safe Routes to School Program focuses on incorporating the 5 E's: engineeriing, education, encouragement, enforcement, and evaluation to promote a healthy lifestyle and safe environment near schools.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) received $40 million to allocate between 2005 and 2009 to facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects that encourage walking and bicycling to and from school. In 2007, the first Safe Routes to School Call for Projects awarded $24.8 million to Texas school districts. A second Call for Projects is anticipated in 2008 to program the remaining funds.
Click on the Safe Routes to School (TxDOT) link above to learn more about Safe Routes to School or click on the links below for more information:
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Recreational Trail Grants
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department administers the National Recreational Trails Fund in Texas under the approval of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). A portion of the funding is received from federal gas taxes paid on fuel used in non-highway recreational vehicles. Trail grants can fund up to 80% of project cost for both motorized and non-motorized recreational trail projects. Eligible project types include: the construction of new recreational trails, improvement of existing trails, development of trailheads or trailside facilities, and acquiring property for trail corridors.
Click on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Recreational Trail Grants link above to learn more about this funding opportunity.
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