Louisville Loop Master Plan loopmasterplan_draft_041813sm_0 | Page 61

years 2013 and 2014. This was the first reauthorization of the transportation bill
since 2005. Since the last bill (SAFETEA-LU), several significant changes have
occurred that typically fund alternative mode options such as bicycles and pedestri-
ans. Several different mechanisms deemed “non-essential” were removed from the
bill to bring its overall costs down. These “non-essential” elements included many
of the transportation enhancement provisions of the earlier bills that supported
bicycle and pedestrian projects like the Louisville Loop. Many of the critical mecha-
nisms such as Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ), Recreational Trails
Program (RTP), and Surface Transportation Program (STP) remain but funded at
lower or equal levels (but construction costs are increasing) than previous years. sharing mechanisms applied by other trail systems nationally.
The new Surface Transportation Program (STP) will receive about $780 million
for Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) projects across the country, which
is believed to be about a 26% reduction from the current $1.2 billion spent on
Enhancements and similar programs. The new TAP provides for a variety of alter-
native transportation projects that were previously eligible activities under sepa-
rately funded programs. Programs such as Safe Routes to School, Transportation
Enhancements, and Recreation Trails are now encompassed under the new TAP. The following list provides examples of the multitude of Federal, State, and Local
Government options in addition to the private sector. These sources would need to
be examined further to determine their applicability and feasibility to the Louisville
Loop. Many model trail and greenway systems around the country have combined
these types of mechanisms to all facets of their implementation. It will be impera-
tive in the early years following the adoption of this master plan to pursue a funding
strategy that fits the Louisville region’s context.
Under the Act, states will sub-allocate 50% of their TAP funds to Metropolitan
Planning Organizations (MPOs) and communities for local project grants. States
may use the remaining 50% for TAP projects or could spend these dollars on other
transportation priorities such as air quality improvement projects. Several of these
programs can benefit shared-use path projects, but will create more competition
for funding with other eligible transportation projects. In addition to the TAP funds,
other categories and programs within MAP-21 where shared-use paths in Louisville
would be eligible include Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ), the Rec-
reational Trails Program (RTP), National Highway Performance Program (NHPP),
Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) and Surface Transportation Program
(STP). Potential Funding Sources
Federal government
• Federal Surface Transportation Funds (MAP-21 programs)
• Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
State Government
• Recreation, transportation, conservation, water quality programs
Local Government
• Taxes
• Bond referendums
• Capital improvement programs
Private Sector
• Land trusts
• Foundations
• Local businesses
• Individual sponsors
• Volunteer work
• “Buy-a-Foot” Programs
Cost estimates for the various Loop segments have been prepared in previous
master plans. These master plans outline per linear mile costs associated with
securing the right-of-way, construction of the asphalt path, bridges, rail and road
crossings, and the construction of enhancements placed as generally indicated in
the Louisville Loop Design Guidelines manual. These costs will vary depending on
the complexity of each segment, however, they are based on experience of similar
projects in Louisville and beyond. Understanding these estimates in each plan will
assist in calculated future funding needs and prioritizing the phasing of implementa-
tion of the Loop. It will also assist in leveraging private money and other cost-
The programs described above pertain to the funds available for designing and
constructing the Loop. It will also be critical to seek funding sources to sustain the
operation and management functions of the facility. Successful systems around
the country have applied a multitude of mechanisms to assure adequate funds for
this focus. Guidance for best practices to operating and maintaining a world-class
system is provided in subsequent sections of this chapter. The cost allocations
identified in a m anagement plan will assist in determining the level of financial sup-
port needed.
OUTREACH AND EDUCATION
One of the goals of the Louisville Loop is to build community engagement by creat-
ing and nurturing a widespread belief in the community that the Loop is an essential
Lousville Loop Master Plan
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