On January 3, 2025, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announced a statewide Call for Projects for the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TA) grant program for bicyclist and pedestrian infrastructure and planning. The TA program provides funding to plan for and construct a variety of alternative transportation projects that improve safety and mobility for non-motorized travelers and mitigate congestion by providing safe alternatives to motor vehicle transport. Through TxDOT’s 2025 TA Call for Projects, the department will select projects for recommendation to the Texas Transportation Commission (commission) for FY2027-FY2029 federal appropriations consistent with anticipated funding levels associated with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and subsequent funding bills totaling approximately $250 million. 

The program has three project categories that the City of Sugar Land is qualified for: Large Scale, with funding award amounts of $5M to $25M; Network Enhancements, with a minimum funding award amount of $250,000; and Non-Infrastructure (planning documents), with minimum funding award of $100,000.  Project sponsors may submit no more than two applications. 

This is a reimbursable grant program, and a 20% local match is required.  Reimbursable phases include preliminary engineering, environmental documentation, construction, construction related activities for infrastructure projects, and planning for non-infrastructure projects.  Projects should be transformative in nature and related to bicycle, pedestrian, and other non-motorized modes, principally for transportation rather than recreation, and be beneficial to the general public.  Project sponsors are strongly encouraged to submit projects that improve safety, access, and mobility for people of all ages and abilities. The following table summarizes the two projects to be submitted:

1. ADA Transition Plan and Self-Evaluation (Category: Non-Infrastructure): According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), State and Local Government (Title II) entities are required to develop a Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan to document compliance with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Currently, the City does not have an ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan. The total estimated cost of this planning project is $700,000 (80% Federal = $560,000/20% Local Match = $140,000).

2. Brazos River Multimodal Bride (Category: Large Scale): A10-foot-wide pedestrian and bicyclist (multimodal) signature suspension bridge across the Brazos River connecting Greatwood to the Brazos River Park, Crown Festival Park, the University of Houston at Sugar Land campus, and beyond. The total estimated cost for this design and construction project is $12,500,000 (80% Federal = $10,000,000/20% Local Match = $2,500,000). 

If awarded, the required 20% local match could be funded through the anticipated 2026 Fort Bend County Mobility Bond Program.

The Engineering Department requests City Council approve Resolution No. 25-12 supporting the submission of a grant application to the Texas Department of Transportation 2025 Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TA) grant.