Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has opened applications for a grant program aimed at enhancing access to public transportation across the state. The initiative is part of IDOT's efforts to support projects that align with the Illinois Long-Range Transportation Plan.

The grants, totaling $2.5 million, will fund studies focused on planning and preliminary engineering issues related to public multimodal, intermodal, and non-motorized transportation. Past projects have explored areas such as bus-on-shoulder travel, transit equity, trails and bikeways, transit system expansion, travel behavior of people with disabilities, and transportation for veterans.

Each award will average $200,000 and requires a 20% non-federal match. Applicants can request IDOT to provide this match if the study benefits a historically disadvantaged community.

Eligible applicants include governmental entities like counties, metropolitan planning agencies, municipalities, state agencies, public transit agencies, and state universities. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on May 24. The awards will be announced in the summer.

An informational webinar will be held on April 18 at 10 a.m. via Webex to explain the grant program and assist prospective applicants. More information can be found in the document "2023 IDOT Transit Planning NOFO.pdf" available on illinois.gov.