NEPA MPO Active Transportation Plan
The NEPA MPO adopted its first Active Transportation Plan for the four-county MPO region on June 17, 2025. Active Transportation is the use of human powered modes to get to everyday destinations. This includes walking, biking, using a wheelchair, and making connections to transit service.
The NEPA MPO engaged stakeholders by conducting over a dozen targeted interviews. The MPO also convened regional listening sessions that were collectively attended by approximately 40 attendees. The interviews and listening sessions were complemented by a public online survey that attracted over 400 visitors, who provided valuable insights and perspectives into the planning process.
The Active Transportation Plan outlines a comprehensive strategy for improving non-motorized infrastructure regionwide by focusing on four primary goal areas related to safety, accommodation, connectivity, and monitoring and tracking. It also includes a list of prioritized projects for future funding considerations.
NEPA MPO Regional Assets and Priorities
As part of the development of the Active Transportation Plan, a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) Analysis was conducted to assess the current landscape for walking, biking, and related modes of active travel across the NEPA MPO region. The results provide valuable insight into the region’s existing assets, ongoing challenges, emerging opportunities, and potential risks, all of which can inform planning priorities, investment decisions, and policy development moving forward.
A collection of the region’s assets, data analysis, projects, and priorities has been mapped and is available in the Recreational Assets and Priorities Explorer. The explorer can be accessed by clicking the image on the right.
PennDOT developed its Active Transportation Plan in 2019. This plan outlines a vision and framework for improving conditions for walking and bicycling across Pennsylvania communities. The department is coordinating with planning regions and stakeholders across the Commonwealth to implement the plan.
In addition to the state Active Transportation Plan, PennDOT has a variety of resources to improve to accessibility and safety of non-motorized transportation. PennDOT’s Active Transportation Page can be viewed here.
Transportation Alternatives Set Aside (TASA) Program
The TASA Program is a competitive federal program that provides funding to construct pedestrian and bicycle facilities, improve access to public transportation, trail projects, and safe routes to school. Local governments, transit agencies, school districts, and natural resource or public land agencies are eligible to apply.
- The TASA Program is not a grant program and no money is provided upfront.
- Projects are funded at 100% of the construction cost (including construction inspection).
- No applicant match is required.
- Project sponsors must pay for project design, pre-construction permits, clearances, etc.
- There is a minimum award of $50,000 for construction projects.
- There is a maximum award of $1,500,000, although higher awards can be justified for “exceptional” projects.
PennDOT is currently accepting final applications for funding through its TASA Program for 2025. TASA application information can be found here. Applications are due by October 31, 2025.
Multimodal Transportation Fund Program
Act 89 of 2013 established Multimodal Transportation Funds within the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).
Multimodal Transportation Fund Program funding can be used to coordinate local land use with transportation assets to enhance existing communities; for projects related to streetscapes, lighting, sidewalk enhancement and pedestrian safety; for projects improving connectivity or utilization of existing transportation assets; and for projects related to transit-oriented development. Municipalities, counties, school districts, economic development organizations, public transportation agencies, ports, rail freight and passenger rail entities are eligible to apply. A local match of 30% is required.
The DCED Multimodal Transportation Fund Program awards are determined by the Commonwealth Financing Authority. The application period for the DCED Multimodal Transportation Fund is March 1 to July 31 each year. To learn more about the DCED Multimodal Transportation Fund Program, visit here.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is currently accepting applications for funding through its Multimodal Transportation Fund for 2026-2027. The application period closes on February 13, 2026 at 4:00pm EST. To learn more about the PennDOT Multimodal Transportation Fund Program, visit here.
Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A)
One of the recommendations of the NEPA MPO Active Transportation Plan is to consider applying for the federal Safe Streets and Roads For All (SS4A) Program to improve safety of non-motorized transportation in a community.
The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway fatalities and serious injuries. Eligible applicants for SS4A grants include the following:
- Metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs).
- Political subdivisions of a State or territory (e.g., counties, cities, towns, special districts, certain transit agencies, and similar units of local government).
- Federally recognized Tribal governments.
SS4A funds two types of grants- Planning and Demonstration Grants and Implementation Grants. Planning and Demonstration Grants are awarded to develop Safety Action Plans aimed at reducing and eliminating serious-injury and fatal crashes affecting all roadway users. The plans use data analysis to characterize roadway safety problems and strengthen a community’s approach through projects and strategies that address the most significant safety risks. Implementation Grants are used to implement projects or strategies that are consistent with an existing Safety Action Plan to address a roadway safety problem.
Information about the SS4A Program can be found here.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Downtown Center developed the PA WalkWorks Program to support the creation and adoption of Active Transportation Plans in communities across the Commonwealth. PA WalkWorks’ mission is to increase access to and opportunities for physical activity, such as walking, biking, using a wheelchair or other micromobility device, and riding public transit. WalkWorks:
- Provides funding to develop Active Transportation Plans to guide the establishment of safe, accessible, activity-friendly routes connecting everyday destinations.
- Provides technical assistance for the development of said plans.
- Educates about the relevance and benefits of safe and accessible walking, biking, transit, and all forms of active mobility for people throughout the Commonwealth, no matter their zip code, income, or skin color, age, or mobility level.
- Offers support to communities that encourage walking, biking, using public transit, using a wheelchair or other personal mobility devices, etc., through events and programs.
The PA WalkWorks page can be viewed here.
WeConservePA helps people care for, wisely use, and enjoy what nature offers. The organization helps organizations and individuals to effectively and efficiently conserve land, protect and restore waterways, implement sustainable practices, and connect people to the outdoors. WeConservePA fosters understanding of conservation and advocate for pro-conservation governmental policy to promote a high quality of life for all.
Each year, WeConservePA hosts the Pennsylvania Greenways and Trails Summit. The conference offers educational sessions and networking opportunities to trail builders, planners, land managers, and community leaders engaged in creating and improving trails.
To learn more about WeConservePA and the PA Greenways and Trails Summit, visit here.