N.C. Department of Transportation is accepting applications from communities for the 2019 Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant Initiative. The program provides funding for municipalities across the state to develop comprehensive bicycle or pedestrian plans.
Smaller communities with populations of less than 10,000 can also apply to develop combined bicycle and pedestrian plans. Further, communities of less than 5,000 population may now apply for a project acceleration plan – an abbreviated plan primarily focusing on priority project identification and implementation. Also eligible are counties with population of less than 50,000 who may apply for a bicycle or pedestrian plan.
The deadline for application, to be submitted electronically, is Friday, Nov. 2 at 5 p.m. Award recipients will be notified by February 2019.
This program is sponsored by the department’s Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation and the Transportation Planning Branch. Since 2004, approximately $5.5 million has been awarded through this program to 190 municipalities and 3 counties across the state.
Proposals are divided and judged in geographical groups to help establish equitable distribution of funding across the state. The selected awardees commonly incorporate a diverse mix of municipalities from large cities to small towns.
Plans funded are not for one specific project, but represent a comprehensive strategy for expanding bicycle and pedestrian opportunities within a given municipality. The plans may address facilities, programs, policies and design guidelines that encourage safe walking and bicycling.
A short webinar is anticipated within the coming weeks to describe the grant program and to respond to any questions from potential applicants.
For more information on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant Initiative, contact Bryan Lopez at (919) 707-2606 or balopez@ncdot.gov.
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