The New York State Department of Transportation recently issued $97 million in federal funding via its Transportation Alternatives Program or TAP to 30 local communities to support projects that promote alternative modes of travel, such as walking, biking, or hiking.
[Above photo by NYSDOT]
TAP – supported by funds from the Federal Highway Administration – bolsters transportation-related projects that include everything from pedestrian and bicycle safety enhancements to improved access to public transportation and trail networks.
“New York State is committed to the goal of creating modern transportation systems that strengthen communities and help all users, not just motorists, get where they need to go safely and efficiently,” said Governor Kathy Hochul (D) in a statement. “These investments in alternative modes of travel will help New Yorkers leave their cars at home and make it easier to walk or bike to their destinations, which will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect our environment.”
[Editor’s note: The governor also recently celebrated NYSDOT crews filling more than one million potholes in 2026; a number she expects the agency to significantly exceed before the year is over.]
“All New Yorkers deserve to have safe, reliable and accessible transportation networks in their communities,” added Marie Therese Dominguez, NYSDOT commissioner.
“By investing in alternative modes of travel, we are expanding access to all users of the system while also making our communities stronger and more sustainable,” she said.
NYSDOT noted that this particular tranche of TAP funding will support 35 separate projects proposed by counties, towns, cities and villages across the state in several categories:
- $16.9 million awarded to advance “Safe Routes to School” projects that improve safety and accessibility along routes to schools, helping children and families travel more safely while encouraging walking, bicycling, and other healthy, active modes of transportation.
- $52.8 million awarded to support infrastructure improvements that enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety, expand accessibility through Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant facilities, and improve connections between neighborhoods, community destinations, and activity centers.
- $11 million awarded to strengthen multimodal connections by supporting projects that improve mobility and expand access to multimodal transportation options, including connections between pedestrian facilities and public transit services.
- $16.5 million awarded to support the development/enhancement of trail networks and shared-use paths, improving connections for pedestrians and bicyclists between communities, employment centers, and other destinations.
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