Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TASA) Program

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) administers the 2025 Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TA Set-Aside) Program under guidance provided in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). This program funds projects that enhance transportation alternatives statewide, focusing on pedestrian and bicycle facilities, environmental mitigation, community improvements, and non-infrastructure Safe Routes to School (SRTS) initiatives. The TA Set-Aside consolidates several earlier programs such as Transportation Enhancements, SRTS, Scenic Byways, and others previously managed under SAFETEA-LU and MAP-21. The TA Set-Aside program allocates funding through two main pathways: one for Large Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) with urbanized areas over 200,000 in population, and another statewide pool administered directly by PennDOT. Approximately $70 million is available through the statewide program for 2025. Each MPO, including those not participating in the current round, must follow either its own or the statewide competitive selection process. Large MPOs including DVRPC, LLTS, and Reading may apply to both local and statewide funds with a single application. Non-participating MPOs such as Lancaster and SPC are still eligible for statewide funds. Applicants must be eligible entities as defined by IIJA and confirmed by PennDOT. These include local governments, school districts, regional transit authorities, natural resource and public land agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits that co-apply with eligible entities. Nonprofits can no longer serve as sole applicants. Universities may be eligible if improvements lie in the public right-of-way. Applications must align with one or more of the eleven project categories including bicycle/pedestrian facilities, historic preservation, stormwater management, safety assessments for vulnerable road users, and others. A mandatory two-step application process is in place. Sponsors must submit a draft application by September 5, 2025, at 4:00 PM. This draft triggers a required meeting with the local PennDOT Engineering District and the relevant Planning Partner (MPO or RPO). Following that, final applications are due by October 31, 2025, at 4:00 PM. Applications that skip the draft stage will not be accepted. Applications are submitted through PennDOT's TA Set-Aside web portal, and users must have a PDAuth account to access the system. The application must include project description, mapped location, construction cost estimates, and documentation of stakeholder involvement and deliverability within the required timeline. Funding under the TA Set-Aside covers 100% of construction costs (including inspection), but not pre-construction activities such as environmental review, design, or permitting. Minimum construction value is $50,000, with a soft cap of $1.5 million, though up to $3 million may be awarded for projects that demonstrate exceptional value. Sponsors must be able to advertise projects for construction within two years of the award (~April 2028) or risk cancellation. Applicants should consult PennDOT Publication 740 for local project delivery guidelines and be aware of requirements such as environmental clearance (NEPA), Davis-Bacon wage compliance, and PennDOT design standards. The evaluation process includes reviews by District staff, Planning Partners, and the Statewide Project Selection Committee. Projects will be scored on safety, connectivity, cost accuracy, and community relevance, with bonus emphasis on pedestrian/bicyclist safety and timely delivery. A webinar for applicants is scheduled for July 9, 2025, and participation is strongly encouraged. Contact information for the program includes email at RA-pdTASA@pa.gov and phone at 717-775-3276. Additional resources and application tools are available on the program website: https://www.penndot.pa.gov/ProjectAndPrograms/Planning/Pages/Transportation-Alternatives-Set-Aside-Program.aspx.