Cars driving on a road next to a bike path with cyclists riding along it
Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)

Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)

The Federal Highway Administration's Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) provides flexible funding to support projects that enhance mobility beyond driving alone. TAP funds help states, local governments, and nonprofit organizations invest in bicycling, walking, and public transit access, creating safer, more sustainable transportation options for communities.

In Transportation Management Areas (TMAs)—urban areas with populations over 200,000, including the Greater Madison area—federal law sets aside a portion of Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding for the region. The Greater Madison MPO is responsible for allocating these funds to selected projects.

Current Application Period

The Greater Madison MPO is now accepting supplemental applications for the 2026–2030 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding cycle. The application deadline has been extended from June 20, 2025, to August 11, 2025.

Please submit your supplemental project information using the form below. This form is in addition to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation TAP application.

MPO Supplemental Application

WisDOT Application

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants for TAP funding within the Greater Madison MPO urban area (see area defined by blue boundaries) include:

  • Local governments
  • Transit agencies
  • Natural resource or public land agencies
  • School districts, local education agencies, or schools
  • Tribal governments
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Other local or regional governmental entities responsible for transportation or recreational trail oversight, such as Regional Planning Commissions or Development Boards

Note: Projects located outside the Madison Urban Area are eligible for TAP funding administered by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

Eligible Projects

Eligible projects include:

  • Sidewalks, bike lanes, and separated paths – On- and off-street infrastructure that supports safe travel for pedestrians and cyclists
  • Safe routes for non-drivers – Projects that improve access and safety for people walking, biking, or using mobility aids
  • Safe Routes to School (SRTS) plans and programs – Initiatives that help children walk and bike to school safely
  • Rail-to-trail conversions – Repurposing abandoned rail corridors into multi-use trails
  • ADA Transition Plans for Public Rights-of-Way – Developing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plans to ensure compliance with Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG)
    • Note: Transition Plans are required for communities with more than 50 employees

Local Match Requirement

A local cost share of 20–40% is required for TAP projects administered by the Greater Madison MPO, based on a sliding-scale match tied to total project cost. Refer to the Greater Madison MPO’s TAP Policies and Scoring Criteria for more information.

Resources
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Funding Programs