Iowa Transportation Alternatives Program Profile
Iowa’s Wabash Trace Nature Trail | Photo by Dale Garrison
State DOT Program Staff
State DOT TA Coordinator
Susan Hollenkamp
Iowa DOT – Systems Planning Bureau
800 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50010
Tel: 515-239-1810
Email: susan.hollenkamp@iowadot.us
FHWA Division TA Coordinator
John Gibson
FHWA – IA Division
105 6th St
Ames, IA 50010
Tel: 515-233-7324
Email: Johnnie.Gibson@dot.gov
State DOT Website: https://iowadot.gov/systems_planning/Grant-Programs/Transportation-Alternatives
TA Program Structure, Policies, and Procedures
- Application timeline: Applications close usually in fall but are delayed this year (2022). Please see website for more information.
- TA program structure: The Statewide TA Set-Aside program will receive applications for projects with a statewide and multi-regional impact, that will complete significant trail linkages, or that will assist safe routes to school efforts. The Regional TA Set-Aside programs administered by each local Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) or Regional Planning Affiliations (RPA) are intended to focus on projects that are important locally or at a regional level and will each have their own procedures, deadlines, and priorities.
- Application tips: Applicants interested in the Statewide TAP program should contact the Iowa DOT for additional information. Applicants interested in the Local Project TAP program should contact their local MPO or RPA.
- Who is eligible to apply: Local government, regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, natural resource or public land agencies, school districts, local education agency, or school, non-profit partners, and tribal governments, and the state at the request of an eligible entity listed above.
- Application components: Narrative of existing conditions, project concept, connectivity enhancements, project readiness, environmental conditions, detailed map identifying the project location, sketch plan of the project, digital photographs, project costs, schedule, public support, endorsement of maintenance plan, ROW, minority impact statement
- Selection criteria: Statewide or multi-regional impact of the project, degree of enhancement of the quality or utility of the system, state or multi-regional tourism benefits, and degree of statewide or multi-regional planning implemented. Iowa DOT has determined that the competitive project selection process administered by each MPO or RPA must include a criteria to prioritize projects located in or impacting high-need areas such as low-income, transit-dependent, rural, or other areas deemed as high-need in the region.
- Is there an advisory committee?: No
- Review of Applications: Iowa DOT will review each application upon receipt from the MPOs and RPAs and confirm that the application is eligible to receive TA Set-Aside program funding according to the program guidance. Iowa DOT will return confirmation of eligibility and provide comments on the applications back to the MPOs 9 and RPAs. Each MPO and RPA will review each application received, consider the comments received by Iowa DOT, and assess each project for consistency with local/regional plans and priorities.
- Project award minimum: None.
- Project award maximum: None.
- Match requirement: 20%
More information on Iowa DOT’s Transportation Alternatives program can be found here.
