Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)

Overview
SEMCOG’s Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) is a competitive program that distributes approximately  $10 million in federal funding to local transportation projects each Fiscal Year (FY). SEMCOG is currently accepting applications for FY 2026 through 2029 projects. Please see application guide and SEMCOG TAP FAQ for additional information in a printer format.

Eligibility
Eligible projects for SEMCOG TAP fall into two categories:

Facilities for pedestrians and Bicycles

• Shared-use Path and Sidewalk Modernization Projects;
• Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Improvements, including New and/or Enhanced Roadway Crossings, Town Center Streetscapes and Traffic Calming Projects;
• New Shared-Use Paths, Sidewalks and On-Road and Off-Road Bicycle Facilities;
• Complete Streets Amenities that increase usability, comfort, and safety of bicycle and pedestrian facilities such as way-finding signage, pedestrian-scale lighting, bike racks, permanent bicycle and pedestrian counters, etc.

Green Stormwater Infrastructure

• Green Streets Projects that address roadway safety and complete streets elements while also reducing public roadway runoff, improving water quality;  and/or reducing localized flooding;
• Standalone Green Stormwater Projects that specifically address public roadway runoff, improve water quality,  and/or reduce localized flooding; but do not directly address complete streets elements

Selection Criteria
SEMCOG’s Regional Review Committee (RRC) ultimately decides on which projects are selected for TAP funding. They choose the projects based on specific approved selection criteria.  As of April 2025, the RRC selects projects that promote safe, holistic and regionally significant outcomes and are consistent with and implement regional plans such as the Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility, Transportation Safety, and Climate Resiliency.

Priority includes those that:

• Address a gap and/or provide connections to identified Regional Corridors.
• Enhance existing Regional Corridors and Connections to increase safety, accessibility, use, and/or comfort.
• Enhance walking and biking in regional Demand Areas, especially in areas identified as gaps in access to walking or biking infrastructure.
• Improve safety and mobility for pedestrians and bicyclists to access public spaces, downtowns, core services, and quality of life amenities.
• Integrate Green Infrastructure to improve water quality and/or reducing localized flooding along roadways, especially in regional Demand areas.

Additional competitiveness factors:

• Geographic distribution 
• Mix of project types 
• Cost of project 
• “Shovel readiness”
• Community’s TAP Award History

Applying for TAP

Communities can apply for SEMCOG TAP via its new application by the dates shown below to be included within the next application cycle. Staff encourages communities to use this applicant guide as a reference. SEMCOG is no longer be using the MDOT Grant System (MGS). 

There are three application cycles per year with application deadlines on the following dates:

• 2/19/2025
• 6/18/2025
• 10/1/2025

Be sure to contact TAP coordinators at both SEMCOG and MDOT to schedule a pre-application meeting.  Pre-application meetings help applicants save time and money and help position projects for maximum eligibility and competitiveness.

Selection Committees

SEMCOG’s Regional Review Committee selects SEMCOG’s TAP projects.

MDOT has their own selection process that you can you learn more about via the MDOT TAP website.