Transportation Alternatives
Forecasted
Transportation Alternatives supports Washington communities through smaller-scale walking, bicycling, trail, school-route, preservation and environmental projects beyond major road work.
Funder: Washington State Department of Transportation
Due Dates (Anticipated): December 2026 (annual report submission)
Funding Amounts: Federal Surface Transportation Block Grant set-aside allocations; $2.4 million in even years and $1.7 million in odd years goes to statewide Safe Routes to School before flexible distribution
Summary: Transportation Alternatives funds smaller-scale transportation projects in Washington, including walking and bicycling facilities, safe routes to school, trails, and preservation.
Key Information: The anticipated date is for reports from allocation recipients, not a project application deadline.
Description
Transportation Alternatives is a federal funding program administered in Washington by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). It supports smaller-scale transportation projects and activities beyond larger road projects. Work includes pedestrian and bicycle facilities, recreational trails, safe routes to school, historic preservation, turnouts, overlooks and viewing areas, environmental and wildlife projects, and the inventory, control or removal of outdoor advertising.
Federal transportation acts have funded transportation alternatives through a set-aside from the Surface Transportation Block Grant program since 1991. WSDOT distributes allocations across population-based geographic areas and reports project status to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), which compiles state reports into a national report.
