WEBINAR – Take Advantage of Dedicated Active Transportation Connectivity Funding
This winter, the Federal Highway Administration will open the first ever application period for the new Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP). Now is the time to begin preparing applications. Ahead of the official funding announcement, join Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) to learn more about applying for the new program dedicated solely to the development of connected walking and biking routes within and between communities. During this webinar, you will learn tips from RTC and partners for taking advantage of this opportunity and perspectives on the importance of having a dedicated funding source for connected trail and active transportation networks.
This initial funding round is an excellent opportunity to secure a grant to plan your system, supplement your infrastructure gap-filling strategy or make key connections to neighboring communities. Even unsuccessful applicants may gain advantages for future rounds and strong demand for ATIIP will help to grow the program. RTC is working to increase ATIIP from the $45 million available in this initial cycle to annual funding of $200 million as approved by Congress in 2021.
Panelists:
- Jackson Lee, Parks & Trails Project Specialist, Missoula County Parks, Trails and Open Lands
- Amanda Cooley, Planning Director, Powell County, Montana
- Marianne Fowler, Senior Strategist for Policy Advocacy, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
- Kevin Mills, Vice President of Policy, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (moderator)
Related Links:
- Learn more about the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP) here: https://www.railstotrails.org/policy/funding/active-transportation-infrastructure-investment-program/
- Find info about ATIIP on the FHWA website here: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bicycle_pedestrian/atiip/
- Here’s a factsheet on ATIIP: https://www.railstotrails.org/media/1344243/caats_factsheet_12323.pdf
- Learn more about the power of interconnected trail networks: https://www.railstotrails.org/our-work/trailnation/
- You can also learn more about the Great American Rail Trail, a spine connecting 12 states across the US: https://www.railstotrails.org/greatamericanrailtrail/
- Here’s the interactive GRT map: https://www.railstotrails.org/greatamericanrailtrail/route/
- You can find a full list of ATIIP-eligible projects in the “Pedestrian and Bicycle Funding Opportunities: U.S. Department of Transportation Highway, Transit, and Safety Funds” funding matrix. https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bicycle_pedestrian/funding/funding_opportunities.pdf
- Here’s the report by Headwaters Economics: Headwaters Report: https://headwaterseconomics.org/outdoor-recreation/great-american-rail-trail/#:~:text=Headwaters%20Economics%20partnered%20with%20Rails,in%20visitor%20spending%20each%20year
- Advocacy letter for the FY2025 appropriations budget: https://www.railstotrails.org/media/1423122/usdot-omb-atiip-letter-fy-2025.pdf
- Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program Report: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bicycle_pedestrian/ntpp/?_gl=1*1otom60*_ga*MTcyODI4OTA4MS4xNjk5Mjg4NzMy*_ga_VW1SFWJKBB*MTcwNjI5MjQ1NC4yMS4wLjE3MDYyOTI0NjAuMC4wLjA.
- *Note: You can identify which pilot community from this program is most like your own and use the mode shift results as a reference point to make the case for a project or application (i.e., “Our project is similar to what was done in X, which had a mode shift of X amount. We think we could replicate this model and these results with our project.”)
- To be notified when the NOFO drops, you can sign up for email updates on the FHWA website: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bicycle_pedestrian/atiip/index.cfm
- Sign up for our Inside Track newsletter: https://secure.railstotrails.org/site/SSurvey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=11803
- Learn more about the TrailNation Collaborative: https://www.railstotrails.org/our-work/trailnation/collaborative/
RTC’s TrailNation Collaborative, Trail Development and Policy teams produce a free webinar series designed to help trail professionals build, grow, manage, maintain, promote or otherwise support trails and trail networks. Sign up here to get webinar alerts.
Have a comment or question on our webinar series? Contact us below with topic or speaker ideas. We appreciate your feedback! Email us.
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