Recreational Trails Program Page 3

Photo by Adam Coppola Photography

New Bill Maintains Federal Funding; Creates New Opportunities to Connect Trails

Posted 12/02/15 by Kevin Mills in Policy | Tagged with Funding, Recreational Trails Program, State and Federal Programs, Transportation Alternatives, Transportation and Health

On Dec. 1, Congress released the text of what is expected to be the final version of a five-year transportation bill, the FAST (Fixing America’s Surface Transportation) Act. The verdict is in: Trails, walking and biking are here to stay as part of America’s transportation system.

Photo courtesy ehpien | CC by 2.0

House Passes Transportation Bill, Trails Well Positioned for Next Steps

Posted 11/05/15 by Kevin Mills in Policy, Taking Action | Tagged with District Of Columbia, Federal, Recreational Trails Program, Transportation Alternatives, Transportation and Health, Walkability and Bikeability

In a show of bipartisan cooperation among Congressional leaders on Capitol Hill, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a long-term surface transportation bill that maintains funding for trails, walking and biking at current levels. The bill also includes policy changes championed by RTC to make innovative financing accessible to build trail and active-transportation networks.

Photo courtesy Dianne Yee | CC by 2.0

Congress on Trails: Next Steps for Transportation Legislation

Posted 09/17/15 by Leeann Sinpatanasakul in Taking Action, Policy | Tagged with Funding, Recreational Trails Program, RTC in Action, State and Federal Programs, Transportation Alternatives, Transportation and Health, Walkability and Bikeability

Congress is back in session, having returned from a month-long August recess, and the future of funding for trails, walking and biking hangs in the balance. Read how you can get involved in the fight to ensure strong federal support for bike/ped programs.

Photo courtesy RTC

Senate Passes “So-So” Federal Transportation Bill. What’s Next for Trails?

Posted 08/04/15 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Taking Action, Policy | Tagged with District Of Columbia, Funding, Recreational Trails Program, State and Federal Programs, Transportation Alternatives, Walkability and Bikeability

After a lot of debate, the Senate recently passed two highly important transportation bills. One bill, already passed by the House of Representatives, is a short-term extension of current transportation law to prevent the Highway Trust Fund from running out of money. The other bill is a long-term reauthorization of the surface transportation funding bill (H.R. 22, or the DRIVE [Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy] Act) that would fund the nation’s surface transportation infrastructure for the next six years. So how do they affect trails?

Manhan Rail Trail in Massachusetts | Photo by Lynne Graves, courtesy Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism | CC by 2.0

Keeping an Eye on Federal Bike/Ped Spending: RTC Releases TrADE Report

Posted 07/30/15 by Tracy Hadden Loh in Policy, Building Trails | Tagged with Funding, Recreational Trails Program, State and Federal Programs, Transportation Alternatives, Transportation and Health

Every year, the Transportation Alternatives Data Exchange at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (TrADE @ RTC) compiles a spending report that provides transparency and valuable comparisons for people interested in transportation policy. This report breaks down the funds apportioned by state, as well as the funds states spent on projects that qualify for reimbursement (obligations) through TAP. The 2014 report was recently released; here are a few highlights.

Photo courtesy Wally Gobetz | CC by 2.0

Senate Bill Inadequately Funds Walking, Biking, but Provides Innovative Financing Options

Posted 06/23/15 by Kevin Mills in Policy | Tagged with Funding, Recreational Trails Program, Transportation Alternatives, Walkability and Bikeability

On June 24, 2015, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will consider a bill that would freeze funding for the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)—the biggest source of funding for walking and biking—for the next six years at a level wholly inadequate to meet burgeoning demand. The bill also would make low-interest loans available for smaller active-transportation projects. Learn how you can help, now!

The Burke-Gilman Trail in Washington is used by more than 2,000 people each day. | Photo courtesy University of Washington

What Does Obama’s Grow America Act Mean for Trails?

Posted 04/03/15 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Policy | Tagged with Funding, Recreational Trails Program, State and Federal Programs, Transportation Alternatives

On March 30, 2015, the Obama Administration released the latest version of the GROW America Act, intended to fund surface transportation for the next six years. Here's how this act could affect trails and bike/ped projects across the country.