On February 2, 2026, the Arkansas State Highway Commission announced that applications are now available for the Arkansas Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and the Arkansas Recreational Trails Program (RTP).
The programs provide federal grant funding to local public agencies for transportation and recreation projects. Both TAP and RTP operate on a reimbursable basis, meaning funds are provided after project expenses have been incurred. The commission said these grants cannot be used for improvements to highways.
Virtual seminars discussing requirements and responsibilities for both programs will take place on Thursday, February 12, 2026, and Tuesday, February 24, 2026. According to the Arkansas Department of Transportation, eligible TAP projects include on-road and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists, infrastructure-related projects providing safe routes for non-drivers, conversion of abandoned railroad corridors into trails, environmental mitigation activities, Safe Routes to School projects, sidewalk improvements, traffic calming measures, pedestrian crossing improvements, public awareness campaigns, enforcement programs, bicycle and pedestrian education near K-8 schools, and Pedestrian/Trail Master Plans.
Eligible RTP projects include improvement of motorized and non-motorized trails as well as development or rehabilitation of trailside facilities and trail linkages. Project applications and guidelines can be found at www.ardot.gov/TAP or www.ardot.gov/RTP.
Applications must be submitted by 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The department also noted that there is an ongoing open application cycle for Motorized RTP projects; these may be submitted year-round and are reviewed in order of arrival.
