File #: 13-0415    Name:
Type: Agendas Status: Passed
File created: 9/26/2013 In control: Board of Aldermen
On agenda: 10/1/2013 Final action: 10/2/2013
Title: Communication with Legislative Delegation Regarding the Transportation Alternatives Program PURPOSE: The Greenways Commission and Transportation Advisory Board have recommended a letter stating concerns and offering recommendations on the federal Transportation Alternatives Program be sent to the Town's representatives in the State Legislature. The Board of Aldermen is asked to review and consider authorizing that the letter be sent on behalf of the Board.
Attachments: 1. ATTACHMENT A - Resolution, 2. ATTACHMENT B-1 - Letter on Transportation Alternatives - Draft - v2 with editorial changes, 3. ATTACHMENT B-2 - Letter on Transportation Alternatives - Draft - v2 with editorial changes and staff comments, 4. ATTACHMENT C-1 - Greenways Commission Jan 14 2013 meeting minutes, 5. ATTACHMENT C-2 - Greenways Commission Apr 15 2013 meeting minutes, 6. ATTACHMENT D - TAB recommendation - Letter on Transportation Alternatives, 7. ATTACHMENT E (link) - Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Guidance - FHWA, 8. ATTACHMENT F - TAP Overview
TITLE: Title
Communication with Legislative Delegation Regarding the Transportation Alternatives Program

PURPOSE: The Greenways Commission and Transportation Advisory Board have recommended a letter stating concerns and offering recommendations on the federal Transportation Alternatives Program be sent to the Town's representatives in the State Legislature. The Board of Aldermen is asked to review and consider authorizing that the letter be sent on behalf of the Board.
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DEPARTMENT: Planning

CONTACT INFORMATION: Jeff Brubaker - 919-918-7329

INFORMATION: The most recent federal transportation bill, MAP-21, signed into law by President Obama on July 6, 2012, established the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP).

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guidance lists eligible TAP projects:

The TAP provides funding for programs and projects defined as transportation alternatives, including on- and off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities, infrastructure projects for improving non-driver access to public transportation and enhanced mobility, community improvement activities, and environmental mitigation; recreational trail program projects; safe routes to school projects; and projects for planning, designing, or constructing boulevards and other roadways largely in the right-of-way of former Interstate System routes or other divided highways. [ATTACHMENT E is a link to FHWA's guidance]

TAP consolidates programs established by the previous federal transportation bill, SAFETEA-LU, such as Transportation Enhancements (TE), Safe Routes to School (SRTS), and Recreational Trails (RTP). While these three programs no longer exist independently at the federal level, projects eligible under them are generally eligible under TAP. The Town has made use of each of these programs, with supported projects and programs including a sidewalk on Elm St., walking and cycling encouragement and education at Carrboro Elementary, and the Safe Routes to Sch...

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