The California Active Transportation Program (ATP) has recently received an infusion of cash from the State Legislature, adding $100 million per year and nearly doubling the program’s size. Due to complex formulas and allocation procedures, it is a bit confusing to determine who is eligible for what funding, so we break it down here. If you live in one of the cities identified as eligible, reach out to city staff to make sure they are aware of the funding opportunity.
Additional $100 Million Per Year for ATP From SB1
SB1, the recently passed gas tax and vehicle registration fee increase, included $100 million per year for the ATP as part of its overall annual $5.4 billion transportation investment package. This is the largest increase in ATP funding in the program’s history. Until now, ATP had been funded at $120 million per year from consolidating a handful of similar federal and state funding programs. The promise of ATP had always been that by creating a program with a large funding capacity, it would be easier to grow it over time with even more money. That dream is now becoming a reality, in large part due to a multiple-year campaign by the California Bicycle Coalition, California Walks, and other statewide allies.
SB1 goes into effect in November and this new funding has not yet been allocated to specific projects. The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has decided to use the first two years of new funding to accelerate and augment ATP Cycle 3. That means that if your city applied to ATP in 2016, there is a good chance they can benefit from the extra $200 million in funding:
- If your city applied and was funded in Cycle 3, your funding could be advanced from outlying fiscal years (e.g. FY 2020-21) to earlier years (e.g. FY 2017-18). If your project is otherwise ready to go and just needs money sooner, you will now be able to deliver it up to three years earlier. This is a huge win for communities that need safety improvements now, not in the distant future.
- If your city applied and didn’t win funding in Cycle 3, you now get a second chance. Projects that were just below the funding line (i.e. scores in the 70s) have the best probability of getting funding through this process. The eligible jurisdictions in Los Angeles County include: Artesia, Baldwin Park, Downey, Glendora, La Verne, Lancaster, Los Angeles, Montebello, Pico Rivera, Rosemead, and Santa Clarita, as well as the San Gabriel Valley COG, Metro/LA (Bike Share), and Metrolink.
Unfunded ATP Cycle 3 projects now eligible for new SB1 funding
Applications for this supplemental funding are due to the CTC on August 1st, 2017 (postmark date), so agencies must move quickly to take advantage of this opportunity. The notice of funding availability and guidelines are available on the CTC’s website. Interested jurisdictions should reach out to Shelly Quan (quans@metro.net or 213-922-3075) with any questions about how to apply.
Note: A separate mini-call process was held to allocate $10 million appropriated by AB 1613 from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (a.k.a. California’s cap-and-trade program) to the ATP. Applications were due June 30th and CTC staff is in the process of making recommendations for funding. Several LA County jurisdictions applied.
New ATP Funding for Planning & Non-Infrastructure
Also from SB1, SCAG has carved out $2 million from the regional ATP allocation for new planning and non-infrastructure applications. Planning, outreach, education, and encouragement activities are critical–but often overlooked–elements of a successful strategy to increase walking and biking, so we are delighted to see SCAG continue its leadership on ensuring funding is available for these purposes. In order to ensure this funding reaches parts of the region that haven’t yet benefited from ATP, SCAG is restricting eligibility to only jurisdictions that have not previously been awarded ATP funding from previous cycles. Their goal is to build capacity at local agencies that haven’t been successful in the past by funding development of more competitive projects.
| Agoura Hills | Alhambra | Artesia | Avalon |
| Azusa | Beverly Hills | Bradbury | Burbank |
| Calabasas | Cerritos | Claremont | Diamond Bar |
| El Segundo | Gardena | Glendora | Hawaiian Gardens |
| Hawthorne | Hermosa Beach | Hidden Hills | Industry |
| La Cañada Flintridge | La Habra Heights | La Mirada | La Puente |
| Lakewood | Lawndale | Lomita | Malibu |
| Manhattan Beach | Maywood | Monrovia | Montebello |
| Monterey Park | Palos Verdes Estates | Rancho Palos Verdes | Redondo Beach |
| Rolling Hills | Rolling Hills Estates | Rosemead | San Dimas |
| San Gabriel | San Marino | Santa Fe Springs | Sierra Madre |
| South Pasadena | Temple City | Walnut | West Covina |
| West Hollywood | Westlake Village |
List of 50 eligible cities in LA County for SCAG ATP Planning* & Non-Infrastructure Grants
*Note: only qualifying Disadvantaged Communities (DACs) are eligible for planning grants
SCAG’s notice of funding availability is posted below. More information, including application materials and examples of eligible projects is available here.
The Southern California Association of Governments is now accepting applications for new planning and non-infrastructure proposals as part of the Regional Active Transportation Program. The program received an influx of funding as a result of the adoption of Senate Bill 1, which has nearly doubled the available resources. This provides a unique opportunity for agencies that were not awarded funds in preceding cycles to develop capacity and be competitive for future funding by developing active transportation plans or participating in the region’s successful Go Human event series.
The 2017 Active Transportation Call for Proposals will be administered through SCAG’s Sustainability Planning Grants Program, allocating approximately $2 million in grant awards of up to $200,000 each. The funding is intended to support planning and non‐infrastructure projects that promote safety and encourage people to walk and bicycle, and to seed active transportation concepts that provide a preliminary step for future applicants. Public agencies that have been previously awarded a California Active Transportation Program Grant are ineligible for funding – see list of ineligible applicants.
In addition, SCAG staff will host a workshop for potential applicants on July 20, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. during their regular Active Transportation Working Group meeting. Interested people can attend in person at SCAG headquarters or online.
To join the webcast:
Visit: scag.adobeconnect.com/atp
Conference Number: 1-800-832-0736
MeetingOne Conference Room Number: 7334636
Meeting agenda: July 20, 2017 ATWG Meeting Agenda
Future Funding Opportunities on the Horizon
These two near-term funding opportunities are just the beginning for walking, biking, and safe routes to school projects. Next spring, the CTC will issue a new call for projects for ATP Cycle 4. With the injection of funding from SB1 plus traditional sources, Cycle 4 is expected to award about $450 million in funding for new projects, though the funding won’t be available until 2021.
Here in Los Angeles County, the Measure M subregional programs should be up and running next spring with immediate funding available in those parts of the county that set aside money for active transportation and complete streets, like the Westside, San Gabriel Valley, and North County. The Measure M Countywide Active Transportation Program funding should also be available later in 2018 for regional projects and programs.
There has never been a time like now for walking, biking, and safe routes to school projects. This unprecedented availability of funding is a result of years of campaigning by advocates like you making the case by showing up at board meetings, meeting with elected officials, working with agency staff, and organizing in your communities. Thank you for your years of support. Now let’s get to work making sure this new funding produces tangible benefits for the communities who need it the most.