Student Corner: North Carolina’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant Initiative – Call for Applications

<p>North Carolina Department of Transportation’s (NCDOT) Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant Initiative is accepting applications through November 2nd.</p> <p>The Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant Initiative was established by the Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Division of NCDOT in 2004. Amid desire for stronger multi-modal transportation choices, and more walkable and bike-friendly communities, the Initiative was formed to encourage municipalities to develop comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian transportation plans by matching state and federal resources with local dollars. To date, approximately $5.5 million in state funds has been used to support the development of 193 plans. In the past ten years, 123 plans have been adopted, with 500 projects within these plans submitted for funding consideration in the State Transportation Improvement Program. Additionally, a recent study completed by NCDOT identified 1,005 bicycle and pedestrian projects that have been completed in 83 communities that stem from adopted plans that were funded by the Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant Initiative. Plans usually include infrastructure investments including crosswalks, pedestrian signals, sidewalk improvements or repairs, bicycle lanes, etc., but often also include policy components to encourage multi-modal transportation and promote pedestrian and cyclist safety. </p> <p>Examples of completed plans include:</p> the City of Marion, which received $32,000 in 2014 to develop a bicycle master plan. The investment has resulted in $2 million in bicycle infrastructure investments. The plan emphasizes a long-term goal of creating a bicycle network that links key destinations in Marion through a variety of facilities including trails, sidepaths, and buffered bike lanes. the City of Charlotte, which received $75,000 in 2005 that [...]