PENNDOT ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2016-17 IMPROVEMENTS UNDER MULTIMODAL

10/1/2015-

​Harrisburg, PA – PennDOT announced today it will begin accepting applications on October 3, 2015, for funding transportation improvement projects under the Multimodal Transportation Fund.

“The fund allows us to assist communities with needed transportation improvements that otherwise may not move forward,” said PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards. “This process represents an opportunity for worthwhile local projects to secure the support needed to come to fruition.”

PennDOT will evaluate the applications and make selections based on such criteria as safety benefits, regional economic conditions, the technical and financial feasibility, job creation, energy efficiency, and operational sustainability.

The Multimodal Fund was created by Act 89, enacted in November 2013, Pennsylvania’s far-reaching transportation funding plan. The fund addresses

road and bridge projects. Also through the fund, transit, aviation, rail freight and pedestrian and bicycle modes obtained dedicated sources of funds for the first time, putting the modes on a firmer footing for future initiatives.

PennDOT has $40 million in grants available for fiscal year 2016-17.  Applications are due by December 18, 2015. PennDOT expects to announce grant recipients early next year for the funding that becomes available in July 2016.

For more information about the program, visit www.penndot.gov and click on Multimodal Program under the “Projects & Programs” button.

Let's give DVPRC a shoutout!

As readers of this blog know, this past June 26th, the DVRPC Board voted unanimously to support the dedication of federal and private dollars toward 11 circuit trail segments in Pennsylvania.  It approved a new “line item”  for the Pennsylvania Transportation Improvement Program (AKA the PA TIP) that designates $5 million in federal transportation dollars for construction.

Take a moment to say a quick thank you to the Board members of DVRPC by clicking here to send an email. 

In May 2015, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia conducted a public opinion survey across all nine counties of the Delaware Valley. The survey aimed to gather an understanding of the general population’s awareness of the Circuit and the level of demand for more trails in the region.

The survey found high levels of support for trails in the region.  Overall, 85 percent support building more trails in their counties. Furthermore, 70 percent were in favor of spending $2 per person in public dollars annually to pay for new miles of trails. 

Sixty percent of respondents said they would like to have access to a trail, or more trails within 10 minutes of their homes.  Of respondents under the age of 45, that level of support rose to 72 percent. 

Read more by reviewing the full survey results analysis or a breakdown of survey results by each county.

On Friday, October 17th, Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation & Natural Resources announced $33 million in grants awarded through their Community Conservation Partnerships Program for trails, parks and open space.  Ten awards (out of 219) were for Circuit trail projects, totalling $1,995,500.  The ten projects included four for construction, five for planning, and one for acquisition.  Listed below are the ten grants awarded to Circuit trails.  Full list of all grants can be downloaded here

We offer a hearty congrats to all of our partners who received this funding!  It's terrific and we are excited that so many worthy projects are going to be moving forward!  And many thanks to our hardworking colleagues at DCNR for making these awards possible.  Thank you DCNR!!!

CONSTRUCTION

Doylestown Township, $326,000, Development of the Neshaminy Creek Greenway Trail in New Britain Borough and New Britain and Doylestown townships, Bucks County.  Work to include the construction of approximately 0.75 mile of trail and bridge to connect Upper State Road in Doylestown Township to the New Britain Train Station in New Britain Borough; ADA access, landscaping, project sign, and other related site improvements. Stephanie Mason, (215) 348-9915 ext. 1033. 

Solebury Township, $500,000, Further development of the Route 202 Gateway Trail in Solebury Township, Bucks County.  Work to include the construction of a 0.3-mile trail segment from the Route 202 Connector Road to Magill's Hill Park on Chapel Road in Solebury Township; ADA access, landscaping, project sign, and other related site improvements. Dennis H. Carney, (215) 297-5656. 

Phoenixville Borough, $481,900, Further development of the Schuylkill River Trail in Phoenixville Borough, Chester County and Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County.  Work to include the construction of approximately 0.2 mile of trail across the PA Route 29 Mont Clare Bridge to connect Phoenixville Borough to Upper Providence Township; ADA access, landscaping, project sign, and other related site improvements. Jean Krack, (610) 933-8801 ext. 111. 

Philadelphia City, $400,000, Development of the Frankford Creek Greenway in Philadelphia City.  Work to include construction of approximately 1.2 miles of trail from the intersection of Wheatsheaf Lane and Aramingo Avenue to the intersection of Lewis Street and Delaware Avenue in Philadelphia City; ADA access, landscaping, project sign, and other related site improvements. Robert Armstrong, (215) 683-0229. 

PLANNING

Chester County, $50,000, Prepare a Trail Study to evaluate options to connect the Chester Valley Trail to the Struble and Brandywine trails in Downingtown Borough, Chester County; Caln, East Caln, East Bradford, West Bradford, and West Whiteland townships, Delaware County.  Work to include a written, bound report. Brian E. Styche, (610) 344-6285. 

Concord Township, $40,000, Prepare a Trail Study to evaluate the options to develop a 6-mile multi-use trail along the Octorara Railroad line in Concord Township and Chester Heights Borough, Delaware County.  Work to include a written, bound report. Brenda L. Lamanna, (610) 459-8911 ext. 102. 

Haverford Township, $45,000, Prepare a Trail Study to evaluate options to extend the Darby Creek Trail north to the Haverford Reserve and south to the Upper Darby Township line in Haverford Township, Delaware County.  Work to include a written, bound report. Tim E. Denny, (610) 446-9397. 

Clean Air Council, $30,000, Prepare a Trail Study to evaluate options to extend the Cobbs Creek Connector Trail - Segment B from the Blue Bell Inn at Woodland Avenue and Island Avenue to the Cibotti Recreation Center at 77th Street and Elmwood Avenue. Work to include a written, bound report. Nick Rogers, (215) 567-4004 ext. 110. 

Schuylkill River Development Corporation, $50,000, Prepare a Trail Study to evaluate options for extending the Schuylkill River Trail along the eastern bank of the Schuylkill River from Christian Street to the Grays Ferry Crescent Trail at 34th Street in Philadelphia City, Philadelphia County.  Work to include a written, bound report. Joseph R. Syrnick PE,  tel:215-222-6030-ext.102

ACQUISITION

Montgomery County, $73,000, Payment toward the acquisition of three parcels totaling approximately 16 acres along Route 422 in Lower Pottsgrove Township, Montgomery County for open space and access to the Schuylkill River and proposed Schuylkill River Trail. Michael M. Stokes, (610) 278-3729. 

DCNR Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Public Meeting – October 7, 2014

DCNR is updating its strategic plan and we need to hear from Greater Philadelphia! Where should DCNR be making investments and building partnerships?

DCNR Grant Workshop – November 6, 2014

If you are thinking about applying for a grant from DCNR – you should attend! Learn about how the application process works and how to receive the best score possible.

Here's an opportunity for those trail advocates who are working on a project that would benefit a K-8 school.  We received this email from Safe Routes to School Partnership.

If you are working to make streets safer or to increase access to playgrounds and parks so that children and families in your community can have more opportunities for physical activity – we can help! 

The Safe Routes to School National Partnership can assist your efforts to make your community a place where kids can easily be active and healthy.  We are offering free technical assistance to successful applicants working in underserved communities on campaigns to obtain shared use agreements, Complete Streets policies, or other policies in support of walking, bicycling and Safe Routes to School.  

Technical assistance can range from providing resources, to assisting with the creation of campaign plans and platforms, to developing communications strategies and coaching to ensure a successful campaign.  Your plans can either be in the early stages or nearing policy adoption.  Successful applicants will receive technical assistance over the next eight months.
 
How to Apply
Simply describe your community need in detail on the application form and our staff of experts will assess and work with each successful applicant to help you achieve your goals. Click here for more information.

Applications are due September 26th, 2014, by 5pm ET. 
 
If you have any questions during the application process, please contact Mikaela Randolph, shared use campaign manager: .

Thanks for speaking up!  In June, we asked Circuit supporters to submit comment to the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission Board. The response was terrific!  The Board received 218 comments in support of Circuit projects and more funding for the Circuit in future years.  On July 24th, the DVRPC Board adopted the $10.5 Billion 2015-2018 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for Pennsylvania.

The final draft of the TIP now explicitly commits $1 Million in federal funds in FY18 for Circuit projects during the next selection round of projects for the Transportation Alternatives Program. While this is a good first step, the Circuit needs more funding in order to be built out by 2040.  

More importantly, the TIP states that a PA Circuit Working Group has now been created "to better understand the relative status of all projects in the Circuit trail universe, set priorities, and be prepared to take advantage of funding opportunities when they arise."  This group will "develop a collective understanding of which Circuit trail projects are ready for construction, the level of resources needed to complete those projects and potential sources of funding."  This new commitment by DVRPC to proactively and strategically consider how to advance Circuit projects is an important step in the right direction.

A pdf of the TIP is here

A searchable map of the TIP projects is here.

Public comments and responses are not yet available, but are expected to be posted on the DVRPC website.

Time flies by!  In May 2012, we joined numerous other partners to launch this website and a new name for the region’s trail network: the Circuit.  Two years later, we are pleased to produce a 2014 progress report (8 Facts to Know About the Circuit) on how the region is building out this remarkable trail network.

Here are some of the highlights contained in our progress report:

• 275 miles of the Circuit are complete; with 445 miles remain to be built.
• 30 miles were built since January 2012.
• Exciting new trail segments that are slated to be completed within the next three years include: The Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk, the Manayunk Bridge and the Ben Franklin Bridge ramp.
• There are 75 trail segments that have been studied, but need design and construction funding.
• The Circuit needs more investment. Currently, our 9 county area has only invested less than 1% of its collective federal transportation dollars for the Circuit. If the region builds 18 miles of trail a year, it can finish the Circuit by 2040. But a greater regional investment is needed to meet that goal.

Five years after Pennsylvania’s Outdoor Recreation Plan was written, recreation interests and trends may be different. Is walking still Pennsylvanians favorite outdoor activity? Do people still want trails and on-road bike lanes? State agencies are working with experts across the state to develop the next Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (2014-18), which will help to guide future recreation investments, policies and facilities.

A new plan is required every five years in order for Pennsylvania to qualify for federal Land and Water Conservation funding. Citizen feedback is an important component to building the goals of the plan. In addition to a scientifically conducted survey earlier this year by Penn State and a survey of recreation providers currently being developed, a general online survey is now open for Pennsylvanians wanting to share their opinions about outdoor recreation. The survey is completely confidential and will just take a few minutes athttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/paoutdoorrec.

After feedback from all three surveys is analyzed, a draft plan will be written in late summer and will be available for review and comment on the plan’s website. Feedback sessions will allow citizens, providers and interested stakeholders to give their input before a final document is presented to the National Park Service later this year. Make sure your voice is heard by taking the survey. Learn more at www.paoutdoorrecplan.com .

One of the primary benefits of the Transportation bill (Act 89) passed by Harrisburg last year is the $80Million Multimodal Fund.  On April 7th, a PennDOT press release announced that it was opening the fund for applications.  

"PennDOT can make available $20 million in Fiscal Year 2014-15 to distribute to successful applicants. Eligible projects can cost between $100,000 and $3 million and they require a 30 percent match from local sources.

PennDOT will evaluate the applications and make selections based on such criteria as safety benefits, regional economic conditions, the technical and financial feasibility, job creation, energy efficiency, and operational sustainability.

Besides the $20 million in unrestricted funds to be distributed, PennDOT may award grants from the dedicated budget categories in the Multimodal fund for aviation, rail freight, ports and bicycle-pedestrian projects.

The application period started today and closes on June 30."

Act 89 dedicated $2 Million of the Multimodal fund for bicycle-pedestrian projects.  

Municipalities, Council of Governments, businesses and non-profits are among those eligible to apply.  

The guidance is here

The application is here

This fund is different than and separate from the Multimodal Transportation Fund being administered by the Commonweatlh Financing Authority.

Sustainable Jersey is putting on three workshops to inform municipal and non-profits on how to learn more about the strategies, tools, and funding opportunities available to help your town realize the benefits of becoming a more bikeable and walkable community.  NJ APA-CM credits have been requested.  This training is applicable for the Safe Routes to School and Transportation Alternatives Program in the Funding Opportunities block.  For more information on the topics covered, visit the Sustainbale Jersey website. To register for a workshop in New Brunswick and Camden, click on a link below:

Wednesday, April 2, 2014, 10:00 AM - NOON 

Rutgers Student Center, Room 411 

ABC 126 College Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901   

REGISTER

Friday, April 4, 2014, 10:00 AM - NOON  

Camden County MUA

1645 Ferry Avenue, Camden, NJ 08104 

REGISTER  

PA's Commonwealth Financing Authority announced today two new funding opportunities for trails.

Multimodal Transportation Fund.  Funds may be used for the development, rehabilitation and enhancement of transportation assets to existing communities, streetscape, lighting, sidewalk enhancement, pedestrian safety, connectivity of transportation assets and transit-oriented development. The application deadline for the program is June 20, 2014 for consideration at the September 9, 2014 CFA board meeting.  Applications can request from $100K to $3M.  MMF guidance is here.

Greenway, Trails and Recreation Program.  Projects which involve development, rehabilitation and improvements to public parks, recreation areas, greenways, trails and river conservation. The application deadline for the program is July 21, 2014. Applications can be for up to $250K.  GTR guidance is here.

On March 5th the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) announced a new competitive round of Transportation and Community Development Initiative (TCDI) planning grants.

• Supporting local planning projects that will lead to more residential, employment or commercial opportunities in areas designated for growth or redevelopment; 
• Improving the overall character and quality of life within the region to retain and attract business and residents; 
• Enhancing and utilizing the existing transportation infrastructure capacity to reduce demands on the region’s transportation network; 
• Reducing congestion by promoting the use of transit and bike and pedestrian transportation modes; 
• Building capacity in our older suburbs and neighborhoods; 
• Reinforcing and implementing improvements in identified Centers and;
• Protecting our environment through growth management and land preservation

If you municpality or County is interested in applying to TCDI they have to attend a mandatory meeting next Tuesday (March 18th) at DVRPC. The pre-proposal meeting will be held 4pm-6pm, Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at DVRPC Offices, 8th Floor of ACP Building, 190 N. Independence Mall West, Philadelphia, PA 19106. All attendees must RSVP for the meeting to .

A local government official (staff, elected or appointed) must represent the municipality or county. Consultants to the local governments are not considered representatives for this meeting.

To learn more about TCDI go to http://www.dvrpc.org/tcdi/

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has posted a Notice of Funding Availability for the 2014 TIGER Grant program. Applications will be accepted through Grants.gov for a period beginning on April 3rd 2014 and ending on April 28, 2014.

More information about the 2014 TIGER Program is available at http://www.dot.gov/tiger/nofa

If your eligible organization has not previoiusly registered at Grants.gov before then you need to do so before you apply for TIGER. The registration process takes about 4-6 weeks so you should be start that process immediately. http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html