response from Dan Sullivan:
Thank you for contacting me regarding S.705, the Transportation Alternatives Program Improvement Act. I appreciate your thoughts on this matter and welcome the opportunity to respond.
In 2013, the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) was authorized under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). This program gives states access to federal transportation dollars to fund local bike and pedestrian infrastructure projects. Currently, half of the program's funding is distributed to metropolitan areas, smaller cities and rural areas based on population and the other half is distributed directly to each states for projects throughout the state, regardless of population.
S.705, the Transportation Alternatives Program Improvement Act addresses potential concerns by shifting a greater percentage of TAP funds to the part of the program based on the population of the area.
In June, the Senate Environment and Public Works committee passed the bipartisan DRIVE ACT, a long-term highway reauthorization bill. The DRIVE Act included provisions similar to S.705 but will instead distribute all of the TAP funds directly to local governments based on populations.
This bipartisan six-year highway reauthorization bill now awaits action by the three other U.S. Senate committees of jurisdiction – Banking, Commerce and Finance – to pass their respective parts of the overall highway reauthorization bill. As this bill moves through the Senate, I will keep your thoughts in mind.
Thank you again for contacting me on this issue. If you have any more questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me or my staff. My office can be reached at 202-224-3004, or online at
www.sullivan.senate.gov.