November 22, 2019
By Rep. Adriano Espaillat
Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) announced the introduction of H.R. 5231, the Transportation Alternatives Enhancements Act, which would make several improvements to the Transportation Alternatives (TA) program, which funds a variety of small-scale community transportation projects other than traditional highway construction, such as improving pedestrian safety and access to transit, constructing bicycle facilities and infrastructure, environmental mitigation, and more. Specifically, the bill increases funding for TA and ensures more of it is made available for local governments and agencies to fund and implement these projects.
“I am proud to introduce the Transportation Alternatives Enhancements Act to help communities around the nation build better bicycling and walking infrastructure, such as trails, pedestrian and bike bridges, and various other projects that will connect and provide residents with alternative routes to travel in their local communities. I strongly believe this bill will encourage local governments to rethink the way they use transportation dollars to make their infrastructure not only more accessible, but also better for our environment and better for residents’ health. These projects will also contribute to better pedestrian and biker safety, stemming the recent, disturbing growth in fatalities,” said Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the only member representing New York City, which is home to the largest transportation system in the nation.
“Investing in Washington state’s infrastructure is not just important for planes, buses and cars, but also for bicyclists and pedestrians. Last year, I held two bike town halls where I toured bike and pedestrian infrastructure projects in my district and heard directly from the community on critical safety improvements they hoped to see in the future. Local leaders in Bellingham and Lynnwood are prioritizing investments in sidewalks, trails and bike lanes to better connect parts of their respective cities. As a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I will continue to support efforts like the Transportation Alternatives Enhancements Act to ensure communities in the Pacific Northwest and across the United States have the resources to make necessary safety improvements, increase mobility options and help reduce traffic congestion and pollution,” said Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02).
“Local governments – planning and transportation authorities – typically understand the transit needs of their communities better than state-level or federal officials. The federal government can be a strong partner, however, empowering local leaders with the resources to enhance their neighborhoods, improve economic development and improve quality of life and public health,” said Senator Ben Cardin, Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. “I am proud to work with our House colleagues on this bicameral, bipartisan priority.”
“The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) is the essential funding source for communities all across the country seeking to create safe routes to schools, jobs, retail, and other key destinations,” said Cassandra Isidro, Executive Director. “The Safe Routes Partnership commends Rep. Espaillat for his leadership in strengthening and expanding funding for TAP, which will help make it safer for people walking and biking and create affordable, healthy, and climate-friendly transportation options.”
“On behalf of the millions of people in America who bike for transportation, for their health, and for fun, the League of American Bicyclists applauds the leadership shown by Rep. Espaillat in introducing the Transportation Alternatives Enhancement Act,” said Bill Nesper, Executive Director of the League of American Bicyclists. “This bill would not only increase funding for infrastructure projects to make biking and walking safer and more accessible, it makes critical technical changes to the program that will enable more Americans to benefit from Transportation Alternatives projects. Passing this legislation would be a necessary step in building a more Bicycle Friendly America for everyone.”
A companion of the Transportation Alternatives Enhancements Act was introduced in the Senate this spring by Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Maryland) and Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) and garnered broad bipartisan support. A version of the bill was included in the final surface transportation reauthorization approved by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Espaillat’s bill in the House further strengthens the TA program by ensuring all funds designated for biking and walking are used while still providing some necessary flexibility to local and state governments.