CAPITAL INVESTMENT
OTHER FUNDING SOURCES
DRAFT
TO ACCESS THE CURRENT 2045 HATS RTP, CLICK HERE.
Federal and state formula funds programmed through the MPO’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) development process, like those discussed in the previous section, are not the only option for financing transportation improvements. A variety of programs are administered by numerous federal and state agencies that make funding available for specific types of improvements. A summary of those programs and link to available resources is provided below.
FEDERAL DISCRETIONARY PROGRAMS —
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) includes many different discretionary funding programs administered by US Department of Transportation (USDOT) covering projects and improvements of all types and sizes, in all kinds of communities. Availability of these programs typically begins with a Notice of Funding Opportunity, which are then distributed to PennDOT, MPOs, and other relevant organizations or potential applicants. PennDOT maintains and regularly updates an IIJA Grants webpage, serving as an easy to access repository of information on these federal discretionary programs.
To view PennDOT’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Grants page, click here.
HATS RTP IMPLEMENTATION GRANT PROGRAM —
Created in 2020, the RTP Implementation Grant Program funds transportation studies and improvements that meet HATS Regional Transportation Plan and TCRPC Regional Growth Management Plan goals while “providing for safer, more walkable, bikeable and transit-friendly transportation systems.” Funded through HATS STP-Urban TIP funds, eligible projects range from feasibility plans/studies that integrate land use and transportation system improvements to non-motorized transportation facilities to low-cost investments to improve safety and/or reduce congestion.
For more information on HATS RTP Implementation Grant Program, click here.
TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES SET-ASIDE —
The Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside provides funding for projects across 10 different eligibility definitions, but is primarily focused on construction of bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Under the TA Set-Aside, 100 percent of construction costs are covered, with the project sponsor responsible for 100 percent of pre-construction costs.
As a large MPO (urbanized population greater than 200,000), HATS is responsible for determining eligibility and selecting projects to be awarded through a regional allocation. Any applicants not selected for the HATS regional allocation is eligible for selection through the statewide allocation.
For more information on the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside, click here.
PENNDOT MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION FUND —
PennDOT’s Multimodal Transportation Fund provides funding for projects that enhance communities, pedestrian safety and transit revitalization. Eligible applicants include municipalities, councils of government, businesses, non-profits, economic development organizations, public transportation agencies, ports or rail/freight entities. Eligible projects include transit facilities, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, streetscapes and transit-oriented development.
Grants cannot exceed $3 million for any project, except for those that will significantly impact PennDOT’s goal to leverage private development and create jobs in the Commonwealth.
For more information on PennDOT’s Multimodal Transportation Fund, click here.
PA DCED MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION FUND —
PA DCED’s Multimodal Transportation Fund provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure that a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to state residents. 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.
Eligible applicants include municipalities, councils of government, businesses, economic development organizations, public transportation agencies, ports or rail/freight entities. Grants range between $100,000 and $3 million.
For more information on PA DCED’s Multimodal Transportation Fund, click here.
PA DCED LSA STATEWIDE PROGRAM —
PA DCED’s Local Share Account (LSA) Statewide Program provides grants to support projects in the public interest within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Funds may be used for stormwater improvements, roadway repairs, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, safety improvements, trail construction; streetscapes, ADA improvements, and bridge repairs/replacements.
Eligible applicants include counties, municipalities, municipal authorities, economic development agencies, redevelopment authorities, land banks, and councils of government. Grants range between $25,000 and $1 million.
For more information on PA DCED’s Local Share Account Statewide Program, click here.
PENNDOT ARLE GRANT PROGRAM —
PennDOT’s Automated Red Light Enforcement Transportation Enhancements (ARLE) Grant Program provides funding for a range of safety and mobility projects including roadway safety, mobility, and capacity upgrades, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) projects, and traffic signal improvements. Eligible project sponsors include counties, municipalities, MPOs, and state agencies. There are no minimum or maximum award limits and no financial match requirements (though cost sharing is recommended).
For more information on PennDOT’s ARLE Grant Program, click here.
PENNDOT GREEN LIGHT-GO PROGRAM —
PennDOT’s Automated Red Light Enforcement Transportation Enhancements (ARLE) Grant Program provides funding for a range of safety and mobility projects including roadway safety, mobility, and capacity upgrades, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) projects, and traffic signal improvements.
Eligible project sponsors include counties, municipalities, MPOs, and state agencies. There are no minimum or maximum award limits and no financial match requirements (though cost sharing is recommended).
For more information on PennDOT’s ARLE Grant Program, click here.
PA DCNR TRAIL FUNDING —
Through its Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2), PA DNCR assists local governments and recreation and conservation organizations with funding for projects related to recreation and conservation, including motorized and non-motorized trails. Funding can cover acquisition, planning, development, rehabilitation, maintenance, purchase of equipment and education programs.
Eligible project sponsors include counties, municipalities, non-profit organizations, state heritage areas, pre-qualified land trusts and for-profit enterprises (for some grant types). Most programs require a minimum cash or non-cash matching contribution from the applicant that is equal to 50 percent of the project cost.
For more information on PA DCNR’s Trail Funding opportunities, click here.
PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS —
A public-private partnership (P3) project is a contractual agreement between a public entity and a private entity (or another public entity) in which the public entity transfers the responsibility for engineering, construction, operation, financing and/or maintenance of a transportation project or facility to the private sector for a defined period of time.
PennDOT operates one of the most ambitious and comprehensive P3 programs in the nation. These projects bring value to PA by significantly reducing structurally deficient bridges, supporting motorist safety, enhancing mass transit and rail service, and in some cases, generating new revenue to support future investment.
In addition to cost savings, P3 projects have other advantages over traditional procurement such as:
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Risk-sharing protecting project sponsors from the cost and consequences of negative events;
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Accelerated project delivery compared to traditional public-sector project scheduling and delivery methods;
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Improved quality and system performance from the use of innovative materials and management techniques that may result in higher initial quality to minimize long-term maintenance and operations costs;
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Ability to apply special incentives to improve project performance and operating efficiencies;
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A more optimal distribution of risks by allocating certain project risks to the private sector (e.g., financing, schedule, long-term operations and maintenance) and retaining others with the public agency (e.g., program management, environmental clearance, permitting and right-of-way acquisition);
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Use of private financial resources and personnel;
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Access to new sources of private capital, while leveraging scarce public resources and conserving public-sector debt capacity.
HATS will continue to identify potential P3 opportunities in the region and coordinate with PennDOT and other agencies on significant infrastructure projects administered through the P3 program. For more information on PennDOT’s Public-Private Partnership program, click here.