Project Development

  1. Funding
  2. Process
  3. Technical Assistance

The Transportation Project Fund (TPF) 

The Transportation Project Fund (TPF) was passed in 2019 with HB 694 as a way to allow Local Entities to take the lead in developing and contracting construction and maintenance projects. Funding can be used for projects that include environmental and other studies, planning, design, construction and acquisition of rights of way necessary for the development of transportation infrastructure, and includes highways, streets, roadways, bridges, crossing structures, parking facilities, including areas for vehicular, transit, bicycle or pedestrian use for travel, ingress, egress, and parking. TPF is a 95% State match and 5% Local Entity match.

Transportation Alternatives and Recreational Trails – Motorized Programs (TAP/RTP)

The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) is a Federal reimbursement program originally authorized under section 1122 of the Federal transportation act, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21). TAP was reauthorized as a set-aside of the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) program in section 1109 of the Infra-structure Improvement and Jobs Act (IIJA)—signed into law in November of 2021.

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is a Federal reimbursement program funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). In New Mexico, RTP is administered by NMDOT’s Active Transportation Programs Team. The program provides funding to eligible entities to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both non-motorized and motorized trail uses.

In addition to their recreational purpose, RTP-funded projects often provide additional multimodal transportation options. Examples of trail uses include hiking, bicycling, in-line skating, equestrian use, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding, and four-wheel driving.

Specific questions on project eligibility for TAP/RTP funding should be addressed to the Programs Coordinator and/or your MPO/RTPO Planner.

Carbon Reduction Program (CRP)

The Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) provides reimbursement funding for projects designed to reduce transportation carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from on-road highway sources. The CRP was authorized under the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and is administered by the Multimodal Planning and Programs Bureau (MPPB) at the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT), beginning with the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2024 CRP funds.

Funds from CRP may be obligated for a wide array of projects that support the reduction of transportation CO2 emissions. Projects must be identified in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)/Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and be consistent with the Long-Range Statewide Transportation Plan and the Metropolitan Transportation Plan(s), if appropriate. CRP projects are treated like other FAHP projects and are subject to requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Act of 1970, Buy America, and other applicable Federal laws. A match of 14.56% is required and will be contributed by the applying entity.

NMDOT Highway Safety Improvement Program

The goal of the federally-funded Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) as authorized in the FAST Act is to achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads, including non-State-owned public roads and roads on tribal lands.