Funding

Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail | Photo courtesy City of Monterey

Massive Investments in Trails to Connect Millions in California With Safe Community Paths

Posted 12/19/22 by Laura Cohen, Heather Irish in Building Trails, Policy | Tagged with BATC, California, Connected Systems, Funding, State and Federal Programs, TrailNation

California approved a record-breaking $1.02 billion for walking, biking and trail projects that will benefit millions of people across the state through the state’s Active Transportation Program (ATP). Here’s what this means for the future of California trails—and the communities and destinations that they connect.

Mount Vernon Trail in Virginia | Photo by Milo Allerton

Putting Unprecedented Federal Funding for Trails and Active Transportation to Work

Posted 12/09/22 by Brandi Horton, Kevin Mills in Policy | Tagged with Federal, Funding, RAISE, TrailNation, Transportation Alternatives

The team at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has studied the ins and outs of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that includes about $1.44 billion in annual funding for Transportation Alternatives, and other breakthrough programs for trails, walking and bicycling—describing the BIL as a launching point to take the trail development movement to the next level, with work yet to be done.

Photo courtesy Getty Images

Reflecting on 2022: Capturing Once-in-a-Generation Opportunities for Trails, Walking and Biking

Posted 12/08/22 by Ryan Chao, Amy Kapp in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Demand for Trails, Encouraging Trail Use, Equity, Federal, Funding, Great American Rail-Trail, Rail-Trail Champion, RTC in Action, Trail Moments, TrailNation, Why Use Trails?

This December, we’re taking time to reflect on the challenges and changes, hard work and persistence, that’s made up the fabric of this impactful year. As we bid farewell to 2022, we take stock of our impact and extend our appreciation to the many partners, friends and supporters who’ve worked so passionately to make our collective achievements possible.

Florida's Pinellas Trail in Dunedin | Photo courtesy Pinellas County Marketing and Communications

New TrailNation Collaborative Community to Escalate Trail Network Development Nationwide

Posted 11/16/22 by Mary Ellen Koontz, Heather Irish in Building Trails | Tagged with Connected Systems, Demand for Trails, Funding, TrailNation, Why Use Trails?

RTC is bringing together its expertise and network of thousands of partners nationwide to launch the TrailNation Collaborative—a learning community where advocates, public leaders and professionals can come together to share their experiences, their challenges and their strategies for accelerating the pace of connecting trails and active transportation infrastructure.

Atlantic Greenway South Beach Trail, part of the Miami LOOP | Photo by Lee Smith

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Awards $300,000+ to Support Inclusive Trail Projects Across the Nation

Posted 11/14/22 by Mary Ellen Koontz in Building Trails | Tagged with Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, BATC, Capital Trails Coalition, Circuit Trails, Funding, Great American Rail-Trail, IHTC, Miami LOOP, Route of the Badger, RTC in Action

RTC has awarded a combined $300,000+ in grants to 25 organizations working in rural, suburban and urban communities across the country as part of the 2022 Trail Grants program.

Rail Arts District along the Napa Valley Vine Trail in California | Photo courtesy Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition

Record-Breaking Investments in California’s Trails Amid Major Demand

Posted 11/14/22 by Laura Cohen, Heather Irish in America's Trails | Tagged with BATC, California, Connected Systems, Demand for Trails, Funding, TrailNation, Walkability and Bikeability

The start of 2022 brought a significant opportunity for California trails and ended in a historic victory—as the state announced a $1 billion+ investment for trails and active transportation for fiscal year (FY) 2023.

Along the Wendy Park Bridge and Cleveland Foundation Centennial Lake Link Trail in Ohio | Courtesy Cleveland Metroparks

New Federal Funding for Safe Walking and Biking Routes Could Help Meet Booming Demand

Posted 09/12/22 by Kevin Mills in Policy | Tagged with Federal, Funding, RAISE

This summer, developments in federal funding for trails, walking and biking illustrated both the urgency communities are feeling to provide 1) safe and connected active-transportation infrastructure, and 2) more tangible opportunities to invest in the infrastructure their residents are demanding.

Courtesy Getty Images

No Car, No Problem: Connecting Car-less Americans to Opportunities

Posted 06/09/22 by Kevin Mills in Building Trails, Policy | Tagged with Federal, Funding, Mode Shift, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Many federal transportation policies and programs could help redesign communities to work better for walking, biking and transit. One standout opportunity is to “flex” Federal highway funds—such as Surface Transportation Program Block Grants—to transit for purposes of addressing last-mile connectivity to public transportation. Such transfers are attractive because tapping into flexible highway funding can accelerate efforts to meet growing needs for safe places to walk and bike while increasing use of transit services.

Herring Run Trail | Side A Photography

New Guidance for Transportation Alternatives: Transformative Funding for Trails, Walking and Biking

Posted 04/07/22 by Mary Ellen Koontz in Policy, Building Trails | Tagged with Connected Systems, Federal, Funding, Recreational Trails Program, State and Federal Programs, Transportation Alternatives

Last week, the federal officials released new guidance on the Transportation Alternatives (TA) Set-Aside. This guidance instructs state departments of transportation (DOTs) on how to implement the TA funding in alignment with policy changes included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge connecting Iowa and Nebraska | Photo by TrailLink user thejake91739

Spring News from the State Legislatures

Posted 04/06/22 by Andrew Dupuy, Brian K. Housh in Policy | Tagged with California, Colorado, Funding, Iowa, North Carolina, Ohio, RAISE, South Carolina, State and Federal Programs, Virginia

Depending on where you live, this time of year may mean the prolonged dregs of winter, early signs of Spring, or some variation on “mud season.” But for most of the country—regardless of climate or geography—it’s also the height of the state legislative season. Most states’ general assemblies are part-time, and generally convene in the early part of each calendar year. All but a handful of states are currently in session. So what does this mean for trails and active transportation funding in states?

Indianapolis Cultural Trail | Photo by TrailLink user lunariver

USDOT’s Current RAISE Funding Opportunity Is Best Chance Yet to Secure Big Investments in Connected, Safe Walking and Biking Routes

Posted 02/08/22 by Kevin Mills in Policy | Tagged with Connected Systems, Demand for Trails, Federal, Funding, RAISE, TrailsTransform

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has invited applications for the next round of its competitive, multimodal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program (formerly known as TIGER under the Obama Administration and BUILD under the Trump Administration). This round promises to be your best chance yet to secure $5 million to $25 million to build your trail and other active-transportation connections, or a big planning grant to get your regional system ready.