The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) approved approximately $2.3 million in federal funding for six non-highway transportation projects in the District of Columbia.

The projects will be funded by the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TA Set-Aside) Program, which funds small-scale projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, trails, safe routes to school (SRTS) projects, and other community improvements.

Funded projects include:

• Anacostia River Trail – $379,436
  The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will rebuild 3.5 miles of the Anacostia River Trail and improve ramps to the trail and bring them into ADA compliance.
   
• Green Infrastructure Remote Monitoring – $98,155
  DDOT will install sensors to measure soil water content, including moisture levels, conductivity, and temperature in its green infrastructure facilities to measure performance.
   
• Green Infrastructure Pilot Project – $961,175
  Building on a recent DDOT study of best practices – both nationally and internationally – this project will design and install five green infrastructure facilities using new techniques and approaches in public right of way.
   
• Joyce Road Trail and Beach Drive Trail – $651,000
  The National Park Service (NPS) will produce final designs for two multi-use trails at Rock Creek Park: (1) 0.25 miles of new construction along Joyce Road from Beach Drive to 17th Street, and (2) rehabilitation of 0.75 miles of the existing trail along Beach Drive from Joyce Road to Bingham Drive.
   
• Washington Union Station: East Hall Alcoves – $160,434
  This project will restore, repaint, and conserve the historic decorative finishes within the recessed alcoves on the north, south, east, and west walls in the East Hall of Union Station.
   
• 11th Street NW Safety Improvements – $49,801
  This project will improve bicycle infrastructure in and adjacent to existing facilities as well as incorporate pedestrian improvements through shortened crossings and improved visibility.

The projects support key TPB priorities such as prioritizing Equity Emphasis Areas (EEAs) or locations with high concentrations of traditionally underserved communities, and providing access to the National Capital Trail Network, a 1,400-mile system of trails that will connect the entire region when completed. These projects also support the vision for equitable, sustainable, transit-oriented communities outlined in COG’s Region United: Metropolitan Washington Planning Framework for 2030.

The TA Set-Aside Program is part of the Federal Surface Transportation Block Grant Program. The TPB administers the program as a component of its Transportation Land-Use Connections (TLC) Program.

MORE: About the TA Set Aside Program