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POLICY & ADVOCACY: ISSUES: TRANSPORTATION FUNDING & TRAILS |
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TRANSPORTATION FUNDING & TRAILS - SAFETEA-LU |
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Through transportation policy reform in the early 1990s, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration has become the nation's largest single source of funding for multiple use paths, trails, and related projects. |
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SAFETEA-LU |
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In July 2005, Congress passed a new multi-year federal surface transportation law that includes significant funding for trails. Known as SAFETEA-LU -- Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users -- the measure provides a total $286.4 billion for road, transit, trails, and related programs through September 30, 2009. Of note for hikers, this includes: |
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• Transportation Enhancements (TE): roughly $3.5 billion through FY09 (about $625-$685 million per year), a slight increase over the previous law, TEA-21. The TE program funds a wide variety of transportation-related community projects, but trails and pedestrian/bicycle facilities have historically accounted for about half of TE funding ($300 million/year) since its establishment in 1991.
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• Recreational Trails Program (RTP): $370 million through FY09, a 64% increase over TEA-21. Funding is at $60 million in FY05, rising to $85 million by FY09. Many hiking trails benefit from RTP funds.
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• Transit in the Parks: $96.5 million through FY09 for a new program to promote alternative transportation facilities and services (including trails) for national parks, forests, and other federal public lands to reduce auto congestion and pollution.
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• Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program: $25 million per year through FY09 for four areas (Columbia, Missouri, Marin County, California, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, and Sheboygan County, Wisconsin) to help develop trails and other pedestrian/bicycle facilities. |
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• Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Program: $8.6 billion through FY09 to help communities with air quality problems invest in less-polluting alternative forms of transportation, including pedestrian/bicycling facilities and trails.
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• Funding for a host of other programs and projects related to transportation in the outdoors (e.g. Park and Refuge Roads, Scenic Byways).
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SAFETEA-LU also includes millions of dollars for "high priority" community trail and recreation projects throughout the nation such as the Mountains to Sea Trail in North Carolina, San Francisco Bay Trail in California, and Great Allegheny Passage in Pennsylvania. |
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Trail organizations and local agencies across the country can apply for funding for a variety of trail projects through the TE, RTP, and other programs. Grant amounts vary from the hundreds to the millions of dollars. |
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This transportation law affects all Americans — from getting around our communities on a daily basis, to enjoying our parks, trails, and public lands when we go hiking and camping on weekends or vacations. |
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For more information:
American Hiking's Transportation Funding & Trails Fact Sheet
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Homepage
FHWA – Recreational Trails Program
FHWA - Transportation Enhancements
National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse |
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