MSHDA has passed along information to the League and our members about a new grant program from MDOT called the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP).  The program uses federal transportation funds for activities that enhance the intermodal transportation system and provide safe alternative transportation options.  Some eligible activities that could be very relevant to each of your communities include:

– Facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists, including traffic calming and other safety improvements

– Safe routes for non-drivers

– Conversion and use of abandoned railroad corridors for trails

– Turnouts, overlooks and viewing areas

– Historic preservation and rehabilitation of historic transportationfacilities

– Inventory, control, or removal of outdoor advertising

– Vegetation management practices in transportation right of ways

– Archaeological activities

– Environmental mitigation activities

– Boulevards in the right of way of former interstates or other divided highways

For more information on the program and application process, go to http://cirrus.mail-list.com/mainstreet/44084725.html If anyone has any questions, they can contact Kelly Larson at the State Historic Preservation Office (MSHDA) at (517) 241-0242.