Call for Projects: Transportation Authority

Call for Projects: Transportation Authority 

Prop AA Vehicle Registration Fee

Prop AA is a voter-approved $10 countywide vehicle registration fee that generates about $5 million in revenues each year. Prop AA is used to fund smaller, high-impact street repair and reconstruction, pedestrian safety, and transit reliability and mobility improvement projects throughout the city.

  • Our Prop AA page provides links to all of the crucial documents associated with the planning and programming of Prop AA funds.
  • Our Prop AA Sponsors page provides the materials needed to apply for Prop AA funds.
Prop AA Call for Projects: Closed

The Transportation Authority is no longer accepting applications for the call for projects for Proposition AA (Prop AA) vehicle registration fee revenues, for Fiscal Years 2020/21 and 2021/22. Applications were due to the Transportation Authority by July 31, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. Please visit the Prop AA Open Call page for the latest updates.

Transportation Fund for Clean Air

The Transportation Authority is the designated Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) Program Manager for San Francisco. In that capacity, it programs approximately $800,000 every year to bicycle, pedestrian, and other transportation projects that help improve air quality by reducing motor vehicle emissions. The Transportation Authority also provides assistance to project sponsors in applying for regional TFCA funds, programmed directly by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

  • Our TFCA page lists Transportation Authority projects funded and completed, with sponsors and funds allocated.
  • The regional TFCA program page provides details on the Air District's Regional TFCA Fund Program.
TFCA Call for Projects: Applications are due April 21, 2023

Applications for the Fiscal Year 2023/24 Call for Projects are due to the Transportation Authority by Friday, April 21, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. Please visit the TFCA Open Call Page for latest updates.

One Bay Area Grant Program

In 2012, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission established the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) program to direct federal transportation funding to projects that advance regional transportation priorities while also advancing the Bay Area's housing and land use housing goals. As San Francisco's Congestion Management Agency, the Transportation Authority is responsible for managing San Francisco’s County Program. To date, the Transportation Authority has awarded $77 million in OBAG funds to over two dozen projects in two grant cycles (2012 and 2017).

  • Our OBAG page provides more information, including previous projects that have received funding.
OBAG Call for Projects: Closed

The Transportation Authority is no longer accepting applications for the OBAG 3 County Program for San Francisco for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022/23 to FY 2025/26. Applications were due July 1, 2022. Please visit the OBAG 3 Open Call page for the latest updates. 

Lifeline Transportation Program

The San Francisco Lifeline Transportation Program (SF LTP) funds projects that:

  • Improve a range of transportation choices for low-income populations
  • Address gaps or barriers identified through community-based transportation plans or other substantive, collaborative, and inclusive planning efforts involving focused outreach to low-income populations.

Eligible projects include but are not limited to: new, enhanced, or restored transit service, including late-night and weekend services; transit stop enhancements; purchase of vehicles or technologies; transit-related aspects of bicycling; shuttle service; and various elements of mobility management. Public transit agencies are eligible to apply, and a 10 percent local match is required. 

Our SF LTP webpage provides more information, including projects that have received funding.

SF LTP Call for Projects

The Transportation Authority anticipates releasing a call for projects for SF LTP Cycle 3 in spring 2023. 

Call for Projects: Other Funding Opportunities

Call for Projects: Other Funding Opportunities

USDOT Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE)

Application deadline: February 28, 2024

USDOT has released a NOFO for FY24. RAISE grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, per statute, for planning or constructing surface transportation infrastructure projects that will improve safety; environmental sustainability; quality of life; mobility and community connectivity; economic competitiveness and opportunity including tourism; state of good repair; partnership and collaboration; and innovation. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58, November 15, 2021, “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” or “BIL”) provides $1.5 billion annually for FY 2022 – 2026. USDOT plans to conduct outreach regarding the FY 2024 RAISE NOFO in the form of webinars. The webinar schedule will be posted when available on the RAISE outreach webpage. For further information concerning this notice, please contact the RAISE grant program staff via e-mail at RAISEgrants@dot.gov or call Andrea Jacobson at 202-366-9603.

Charging Infrastructure for Government Fleets

Application deadline: April 5, 2024

The California Energy Commission (CEC) announced the availability of $30 million in competitive grant funds for the Charging Infrastructure for Government Fleets program. This program will support electrification of government fleets by providing reliable, readily accessible, dedicated light-duty electric vehicle charging infrastructure; support local governments’ sustainability goals; and reduce vehicle emissions in disadvantaged and/or low-income communities. Eligible projects will deploy a minimum of 100 electric vehicle charging ports to support a light-duty government fleet(s) under a single government entity. Charging ports can be installed at multiple locations and are not required to be made available to the public. All public and private entities are eligible to apply. The CEC encourages (but does not require) owners of the government fleet to be served to act as the primary applicant. The CEC notes that Electric Vehicle Service Providers may serve as the primary applicant. Primary applicants must forgo profit. The maximum award is $6 million, and there is a 30% fund matching requirement.

Low or No Emission (Low-No) Program

Application deadline: April 25, 2024

The Federal Transit Administration has announced the availability of $1.1 billion in competitive grants under the Low or No Emission Grant Program (Low-No Program) and $390 million under the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program (Buses and Bus Facilities Program). FTA is joining these two grant opportunities in one NOFO, with a total of $1.5 billion available, and applicants are welcome to apply to either program or both.

The purpose of the Low-No Program is to support the transition of the nation’s transit fleet to the lowest polluting and most energy efficient transit vehicles. Eligible activities include purchasing or leasing low- or no-emission buses, acquiring low- or no-emission buses with a leased power source, constructing or leasing facilities and related equipment (including intelligent technology and software) for low- or no-emission buses, constructing new public transportation facilities to accommodate low- or no-emission buses, and rehabilitating or improving existing public transportation facilities to accommodate low- or no-emission buses. Additionally, recipients are permitted to use up to 0.5 percent of their requested grant award for eligible workforce development activities, and an additional 0.5 percent for costs associated with training at the National Transit Institute. For applicants proposing projects related to zero-emission vehicles for either program, 5 percent of the requested federal award must be used for workforce development activities. Eligible applicants include direct or designated recipients of FTA grants, States, local governmental authorities, and Indian Tribes. Required local match rates are 15% for leasing or purchasing a transit bus and 10% for leasing or acquiring low- or no-emission bus-related equipment and facilities.

Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A)

Application deadlines for Planning and Demonstration Grants: April 4, May 16, and August 29, 2024
Application deadline for Implementation Grants: May 16, 2024

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the availability of over $1.2 billion in competitive grant funds for the FY 2024 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program. The program supports planning, infrastructure, behavioral, and operational initiatives to prevent death and serious injury on streets involving all roadway users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation, micromobility users, motorists, and commercial vehicle operators. Eligible activities fall under two grant categories:

  • Planning and Demonstration Grants ($657 million available, awards from $100,000 to $10 million)
    • Develop a comprehensive safety Action Plan
    • Conduct supplemental safety planning to enhance an Action Plan
    • Carry out demonstration activities to inform the development of, or an update to, an Action Plan
  • Implementation Grants ($580 million available, awards from $2,500,000 to $25 million)
    • Conduct planning, supplemental planning, design, demonstration, and development activities for projects and strategies identified in an Action Plan
    • Carry out projects and strategies identified in an Action Plan
    • Applicants must have an existing Action Plan to apply for Implementation Grants or have an existing plan that is substantially similar

Eligible applicants include metropolitan planning organizations, political subdivisions of a State or territory, federally recognized Tribal governments, and multijurisdictional groups of entities composed of the above entities. An eligible applicant for an Implementation Grant must have ownership and/or maintenance responsibilities over a roadway network, have safety responsibilities that affect roadways, or have agreement from the agency that has ownership and/or maintenance responsibilities for the roadway within the applicant’s jurisdiction. The required local match is 20%.

Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program

Application deadline: November 21, 2024

The Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant program (Community Change Grants), created by the Inflation Reduction Act, offers an unprecedented $2 billion in grants under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The Community Change Grants will fund community-driven projects that address climate challenges and reduce pollution while strengthening communities through thoughtful implementation. This historic level of support will enable communities and their partners to overcome longstanding environmental challenges and implement meaningful solutions to meet community needs now and for generations to come. There will be two tracks of funding under this opportunity. Track I will fund approximately 150 large, transformational community-driven investment grants of $10 million - $20 million. Track II will fund approximately 20 meaningful engagement grants of $1 million - $3 million. Grants cannot exceed 3 years in duration.

Bay Area Vanpool Program

Application period: Continuous

MTC’s recently established Bay Area Vanpool Program is offering direct subsidies to new and existing vanpools, thanks to an infusion of over $9.5 million approved by MTC in July of 2018 for the next five years. Qualifying vanpools that rent their vehicles through Enterprise (the preferred vendor for the Vanpool Program) are eligible for a $350/month subsidy. Vanpoolers can pay for their remaining vanpool costs with pretax dollars, further reducing the cost of their shared commute.

Learn how to join a vanpool, start a new one, or see if your existing vanpool qualifies for the subsidy.
Learn how vanpool groups can apply for subsidies.

Carl Moyer Program

Application Period: Continuous

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has up to $10 million available for the Carl Moyer Program. This program funds equipment or vehicle replacement, engine replacement, power system conversion, and battery charging or fueling infrastructure. It aims to reduce emissions in the communities most impacted by air pollution. Eligible equipment includes:

  • Trucks and Buses
  • Public School Buses
  • Off-road Equipment
  • Agricultural Equipment
  • Marine Vessels and Equipment
  • Locomotives

Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Maximum funding amounts depend on the type of project. Projects required by law or contract are ineligible. Public or private entities that will operate the equipment within the Bay Area may apply. New project types and increased grant amounts are available for the purchase of hybrid, zero- and near-zero-emissions equipment, and for fueling and charging infrastructure as part of alternative-fuel or battery-electric project types.

Community Health Protection Grant Program

Application Period: Continuous

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has up to $40 million available for the Community Health Protection Grant Program, which follows the same guidelines as the Carl Moyer program, with a few caveats, including those projects must be in eligible areas, such as “Eastern San Francisco”. Please see the information for the Carl Moyer Program above, as well as the Air District Community Health Protection Grant Program website for additional information.

Expedited Project Delivery Pilot Program

Application Period: Applications accepted on a rolling basis

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced $100 million available for the Expedited Project Delivery (EPD) Pilot Program. The program aims to streamline project delivery of new transit infrastructure and encourages innovative partnerships. State and local government authorities may apply. Eligible projects include fixed guideway capital projects, small start projects, or core capacity improvement projects that have not entered into a full funding grant agreement with FTA. Projects under this program must include public-private partnerships, be operated and maintained by employees of an existing public transportation provider, and have a federal share not exceeding 25 percent of the project cost. 

FTA intends to award up to eight grants under this announcement, subject to funding availability. Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants will be notified whether their application was approved within 120 days of submittal.

Hybrid Voucher Incentive Program

Application Period: Continuous

The California Air Resources Board's (CARB) Hybrid Voucher Incentive Program (HVIP), provides vouchers to California purchasers and lessees of eligible zero-emission, hybrid and low NOx medium and heavy-duty trucks and buses. The program is meant to accelerate the adoption of clean vehicle technology. Voucher amounts range between $45,000 and $150,000, depending on the vehicle's weight. Increased voucher amounts are available for transit buses and vehicles that provide service in disadvantaged communities. Any purchaser of an eligible vehicle may apply for funding, with a limit of 200 vouchers per fleet. Vouchers are applied at the point of sale. A total of approximately $1.7 billion is available. The funding allocation is broken down into multiple categories:

  • HVIP Standard: $265 million
  • Zero-Emission Public Transit Buses: $70 million
  • Zero-Emission Public School Buses: $135 million
  • Zero-Emission Drayage Trucks: $157 million
  • Innovative Small E-Fleets: $35 million
  • Local Education Agency School Bus Replacement Grants: $1.125 billion, to be awarded in $225 million increments between FY 23/24 and FY 27/28.

Volkswagen Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust — Zero-Emission Class 8 Freight and Port Drayage Trucks Category

Application Period: Continuous

On August 18, 2020, the Volkswagen Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust released the first solicitation for freight and port drayage truck projects. $27 million is available on a first-come, first-served basis to fund the replacement of Class 8 freight trucks (including drayage trucks), waste haulers, dump trucks, and concrete mixers with zero emission technologies. Both public and private entities that own and operate eligible vehicles may apply. The program will fund up to 100% of project cost for government owned equipment and up to 75% of cost for non-government owned equipment. Per piece of equipment, maximum funding is $200,000. 

The program is currently oversubscribed. Applications will continue to be accepted in order to generate a back-up list of applications. Projects placed on the back-up list will only be considered if returned or additional funds become available.

Volkswagen Mitigation Trust — Zero-Emission Transit, School, and Shuttle Bus Program

Application Period: Continuous

The Volkswagen (VW) Mitigation Trust was established as part of a settlement with Volkswagen for using illegal emission testing defeat devices in certain VW vehicles, resulting in excess NOx emissions. $130 million in first come, first served funding is available to replace high-polluting transit and shuttle buses with new battery-electric or fuel-cell buses.  There is no longer funding available for school buses.  Government and non-government vehicle owners as well as agencies that lease or rent applicable buses to third parties are eligible to apply.  The old bus to be replaced must have a fuel type of gasoline, diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG); an internal combustion engine; and an engine model year of 2009 or older.  The maximum funding per entity is capped at $3,250,000 and the maximum funding level for each vehicle varies based on the bus and fuel types, ranging from $160,000 to $400,000 per vehicle.  Matching funds are required for all non-government owned purchases (at least 25 percent).

Additional Resources

View Caltrans' 2021 Guide to Transportation Funding in California (PDF) for an overview of transportation funding sources and apportionments.

View Caltrans' Division of Local Assistance June 2022 Transportation Funding Opportunities Guidebook (PDF) for information about state and federal funds available for local public agency projects.

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has created a list of programs that may fund active transportation projects and elements, to serve as a resource for cities, counties and agencies looking to fund valuable active transportation projects in their communities.

Contact

For more information or assistance with Prop K or other federal, state, or regional funding opportunities, contact Anna LaForte, Deputy Director for Policy & Programming

Federal Aid Project Delivery

Introduction

This is a resource page for sponsor agencies who currently or potentially may use federal funds to implement their transportation projects in San Francisco, focusing on Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funds.

Funding Opportunities

Project Delivery Policies and Status Update Reports

Federal funds come with strict timely-use-of-funds requirements, especially on the obligation and reimbursement, at various levels⁠—federal, state, and regional. It is critical for sponsors to adhere to the requirements to avoid risk of losing funds.

Caltrans Programs and Procedures References

Caltrans, with its delegated authority from FHWA, develops procedures for and conducts review of a majority of FHWA-funded projects. Also see Caltrans District 4 page and the Training Resources section (below) for materials from past training.

  • Local Assistance Program Guidelines (LAPG) provides a description of federal and state programs, including:
    • Introduction/Overview: Ch 1 Introduction/Overview (PDF); Ch 2 Financing the Federal-Aid Highway Program (PDF); Ch 3 Federal-Aid Routes & Functional Classifications
    • Most commonly used funding programs: Ch 4 Surface Transportation Program (STP); Ch 5 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ); Ch 9 Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)
  • Local Assistance Procedures Manual (LAPM) describes procedures and documents required to use federal and state funds. This link gives a compilation of "packages" required by phase.
    • Introduction/Overview: Ch 1 Introduction/Overview; Ch 2 Roles/Responsibilities
    • Authorization/Agreement/Invoicing: Ch 3 Project Authorization; Ch 4 Agreements; Ch 5 Invoicing
    • Environmental: Ch 6 Environmental Procedures
    • Preliminary Engineering: Ch 7 Field Review; Ch 8 Public Hearings; Ch 9 Civil Rights and DBEs; Ch 10 Consultant Selection; Ch 11 Design Standards; Ch 12 PS&E
    • ROW/Utility Coordination: Ch 13 ROW; Ch 14 Utility Relocations
    • Construction: Ch 15 Advertise and Award; Ch 16 Administer Contracts
    • Completion (and after): Ch 17 Project Completion; Ch 18 Maintenance; Ch 19 Oversight and Process Reviews; Ch 20 Audits and Corrective Actions
    • LAPM forms in word documents
  • Updates

Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

Transportation projects that receive federal funds, are subject to a federally required action, or have a regionally significant air quality impact must be included in the TIP. 

2023 TIP update 

Non-exempt project [update to reflect Plan Bay Area 2050]
Primer & latest schedule
General
  • MTC TIP page, including MTC Guide to TIP and TIP revision schedule and status (2023 TIP)
  • MTC Fund Management System (FMS, online database for TIP)
  • FMS Funding Report page, which generates reports showing obligation status by funding program by county
  • Air Quality (AQ) PM 2.5 ("fine particulate matter") Conformity Requirement: MTC, with the help of project sponsors, must conduct a project-level hot spot analysis for "projects of air quality concern."
    • MTC memo (PDF) on quantitative analysis requirement (12-12-11)
    • MTC instruction (PDF) to submit AQ PM 2.5 info (03-08-12, as part of the 2013 TIP Update)

Other Federal and State Agency Resources

Training Resources

FAQ

Contact

Nick Smith, Senior Transportation Planner