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  • Central Arkansas Regional Transportation Study Area
    Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG)
    Carbon Reduction Program (CRP)
    Federal Fiscal Year 2027 Grant Application

     

    DEADLINE for this application is May 29th at 11:00am (CST)
    Notice of Intent to Apply Letters are due April 15th

    The Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG) provides funding for transportation projects. Eligible projects include street, pedestrian, and bicycle projects and may be flexed for transit infrastructure improvements.

    The Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) provides funding for projects that reduce carbon dioxide emissions for on-road highway sources. CRP funds are eligible for projects that address traffic management, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, congestion management technologies, public transportation, and alternative fuel vehicle deployment support. Metroplan uses CRP primarily to support construction of the regional greenway network.

    Metroplan, as the designated MPO for the Central Arkansas Region Transportation Study Area, receives sub-allocations of STBG and CRP funds that it has discretion to allocate to projects within its study area. Annually, $200,000 is reserved for regional planning activities, with the remaining funds supporting local projects. Any Metroplan member (local sponsor) can submit projects for funding consideration.

    Projects are eligible for up to 80% federal funding. A local sponsor must provide at least 20% of the eligible project costs in cash – required match. Federal funds from other sources cannot be used to match federal transportation funds.

    Estimate of STBG CRP TOTAL
    Available Funds $17.2 Million $1.8 Million $19 Million

    The following criteria have been developed to administer the 2026 CARTS STBG Program’s Call for Projects:

    • Maximum Award = $4,000,000 (including prior awards for construction cost increases)
    • Project is eligible for obligation in FFY 2027 (October 2026-September 2027)
      Federal Aid Eligible Previously Funded for Engineering Local Sponsor Design Cost Increase
    Eligible to Apply for Construction   Yes Yes Yes
    Eligible to Apply for Engineering Yes     Yes

    Large and Medium Cities = Eligible to apply for one construction project and one engineering project.
    Counties = Eligible to apply for one construction project and one engineering project.
    Small Cities = Eligible to apply for one project.

    Additional considerations for the local sponsor:

    • Projects are expected to be vetted prior to their submittal to Metroplan. This includes the support of the local governing body and a thorough review of rights-of-way, utilities relocations, design considerations, and character of the street and adjacent land uses. A resolution from the local sponsor indicating its commitment to the project and budgeting of local match is required.
    • Applicants must submit their intention to apply for funding in an email to the Executive Director before they fill out an application. Applicants will coordinate with Metroplan staff on the appropriate criteria by which to grade the project.
    • Projects will be scored as either “Roadway” or “Trail” projects. Roadway projects are to be graded by the Multimodal Infrastructure Guidelines “Corridor Type,” (Page 9), that is being improved. These are: (1) Downtown Mixed Use, (2) Town Main Street, (3) Suburban Residential Street, (4) Urban Residential Street, and (5) Suburban Commercial Street, (6) Industrial Street, (7) Rural Street.
    • Projects will be scored based on the responses provided by the sponsor with confirmation from the review committee. Scoring criteria are shown in the application.
    • Only roadways on the federal functional classified system are eligible for federal transportation funds – shown in the attached map. For street projects not part of this system, including Rural Minor Collectors, Metroplan staff should be contacted to determine project eligibility. https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bipartisan-infrastructure-law/stbg.cfm 
    • Multi-modal improvements are not required to be on the federal classified system. Questions about these multi-modal improvements should be referred to Metroplan staff.
    • Sufficient design detail plans must be submitted with the project application to confirm project scoring. Changes to the design from the application require Metroplan review to confirm the changes do not impact project scoring. For PE projects, a conceptual (10%) design should be included.
    • Applications are scored based on the projects submitted by the local sponsor. Funding awards are not eligible for re-allocations to another project.
    • The local sponsor will be provided federal funding up to the project award amount. The sponsor is responsible for any additional costs.
    • The local sponsor must have the required match accounted for upon application submittal.
    • Partial awards will not be given.
    • The local sponsor shall submit LPA Project Quarterly reports to Metroplan and ARDOT. Staff will work to accommodate schedule adjustments outside the control of the local sponsor, however, if the obligation year is affected, this may disrupt the funds’ availability.
    • All new engineering projects funded by Metroplan must be managed through ArDOT’s On-call Consultants list. Construction projects that did not use Metroplan On-call must have a reviewable 60% design set of plans and a consultant under contract to be eligible for funding.
    • Projects must show a reasonable ability to obligate funding by September 2027. Right of way must be acquired for construction projects to obligate.
    • Projects that fall substantially behind schedule (1 year or more) may lose funding. Withheld funding will revert to the STBG regional unallocated pool.

    Questions may be addressed to Daniel Holland at dholland@metroplan.org or
    (501) 372-3300.

     

  • ALL APPLICANTS

    Contact Information

  • Partners

  • Project Information and Description

  • Funding Purpose
  • 0/100

  • Please identify either the street type for your roadway application or the environmental context for your trail application below. 

    Street Types

    See Multimodal Infrastructure Guidelines, page 9. The profiles below indicate appropriate ranges for each street type. Consult with Metroplan to confirm street type for scoring. 

    Downtown Mixed Use Street

    High activity streets in downtown cores of larger cities. Land use is a mix of office, commercial and residential with on street parking and heavier pedestrian traffic. Must be functionally classified as a collector or arterial.

    • Vehicle volume: 5,000 to 15,000 AADT
    • Speed limit: around 25 MPH

    Town Main Street

    Central business streets in downtowns of small communities or neighborhood centers in larger cities. Land use is a mix of retail commercial and some residential with moderate pedestrian and bike activity. Must be functionally classified as a collector or arterial.

    • Vehicle volume: 2,000 to 12,000 AADT
    • Speed limit: around 25 MPH

    Urban Residential Street

    Residential streets close to urban environments that facilitate local trips. Land use is mostly residential with street trees, gathering areas, sidewalks, and some bike infrastructure. Some bus stops and bike and pedestrian traffic are present. Must be functionally classified as a collector or arterial.

    • Vehicle volume: 500 to 1,500 AADT
    • Speed limit: around 20 MPH

    Suburban Residential Connector

    Streets that connect several neighborhoods to essential destinations. Land use, travel speeds, and roadway widths can vary. Like motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists will use these streets for their directness. These may be primary transit routes as well. Must be functionally classified as a collector or arterial.

    • Vehicle volume: 5,000 to 15,000 AADT
    • Speed limit: around 40 MPH

    Suburban Commercial Street

    Larger, multi-lane streets connecting suburban areas to denser areas of employment, entertainment, and other services. Higher speeds, access driveways, and longer intervals between intersections characterize these roads. Must be functionally classified as a collector or arterial.

    • Vehicle volume: 16,000 to 40,000 AADT
    • Speed limit: around 40 MPH

    Industrial Street

    These primarily serve industrial land uses. Turning radii for intersection must be designed for large trucks. Although pedestrian and bike traffic is usually limited, facilities should be in place for those commuting to work. Transit may also serve businesses on these corridors. Must be functionally classified as a collector or arterial.

    • Vehicle volume: 1,500 to 9,000 AADT
    • Speed limit: around 35 MPH

    Rural Street

    These connect rural areas to the region over longer distances. They primarily serve larger lot residential, agricultural uses, and service-oriented business. Although pedestrian and bike traffic is usually limited, facilities should be in place for those commuting to work. Transit may also serve businesses on these corridors. Must be functionally classified as a collector or arterial.

    • Vehicle volume: 1,500 to 10,000 AADT
    • Speed limit: around 45+ MPH
  • ROADWAY Applications: Which street type is being improved?
  • TRAIL Applications: What environment will your trail traverse? (See Regional Greenways Plan, p. 92)

  • ALL APPLICANTS: Preliminary Project Development

  • Rows
  • Is the match included in the sponsor's budget?
  • Over-matching funds scoring bonus (Sponsors must maintain match percentage with any subsequent awards).
  • Is the project a phase of a larger budget?
  • 0/100

  • Preliminary Design Work

  • Engineer under contract?
  • Current design set:
  • Environmental document:
  • Right-of-way and utilities:
  • 0/100

  • Required Attachments

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  • Roadway Projects - Technical Scoring Criteria (70 points max)

  • Project Development (5 points max)

  • Environmental documentation status
  • Does the project have 60% construction plans, ROW plans, and a cost estimate?

  • Project Purpose, Need & Design (65 points max)


    1. Regional Significance and Network Development (15 points max)

  • a) Street Classification
  • b) Network Development (5 points if any box is checked)

  • 2. Existing Design Safety (15 points max)

  • a) Does this project have safety concerns such as poor sightlines, sharp curves, intersection alignment, ped/bike accommodations lacking, or other poor design features?
  • b) Is this project on a corridor identified in the High Injury Network?
  • c) What is the project's SS4A prioritization score?

  • 3. Travel Reliability & Volume (15 points max)

  • a) Congestion Management Plan (CMP) Routes less than 25 MPH (AM or PM Peak)
  • If no CMP available: Average Daily Traffic (ADT) per Lane
  • b) Average Daily Traffic (ADT) for Corridor

  • 4. Project Design & Multimodal Guidelines (20 points max)

    Scores are based on either proposed treatments or existing treatments that will remain. Essentially, what will the final product look like? Eligible streets must be in the functional classes of collector or arterial street. Scoring is based off of these 5 categories: 

    • Vehicle lanes (4 points max)
    • Pedestrian facilities (4 points max)
    • Bicycle facilities (4 points max)
    • Design safety measures (6 points max)
    • Amenities (2 points max)

  • Downtown Mixed Use Street

    High activity streets in downtown cores of larger cities. Land use is a mix of office, commercial and residential with on street parking and heavier pedestrian traffic. Must be functionally classified as a collector or arterial. •Vehicle volume: 5,000 to 15,000 AADT •Speed limit: around 25 MPH

  • Proposed Street Cross Section

  • Travel lane width
  • Sidewalks
  • Buffer zone
  • Multimodal accommodation

  • Planned Multimodal Safety Features/Amenities

  • Indicate additional features or amenities planned for the corridor (check all that apply) (1 to 2 points)

  • Town Main Street

    Central business streets in downtowns of small communities or neighborhood centers in larger cities. Land use is a mix of retail commercial and some residential with moderate pedestrian and bike activity. Must be functionally classified as a collector or arterial. •Vehicle volume: 2,000 to 12,000 AADT •Speed limit: around 25 MPH

  • Proposed Street Cross Section

  • Travel lane width
  • Sidewalks
  • Buffer zone
  • Multimodal accommodation

  • Planned Multimodal Safety Features/Amenities

  • Indicate additional features or amenities planned for the corridor (check all that apply) (1 to 2 points)

  • Urban Residential Street

    Residential streets close to urban environments that facilitate local trips. Land use is mostly residential with street trees, gathering areas, sidewalks, and some bike infrastructure. Some bus stops and bike and pedestrian traffic are present. Must be functionally classified as a collector or arterial. •Vehicle volume: 500 to 1,500 AADT •Speed limit: around 20 MPH

  • Proposed Street Cross Section

  • Travel lane width
  • Sidewalks
  • Buffer zone
  • Multimodal accommodation

  • Planned Multimodal Safety Features/Amenities

  • Indicate additional features or amenities planned for the corridor (check all that apply) (1 to 2 points)

  • Suburban Residential Connector

    Streets that connect several neighborhoods to essential destinations. Land use, travel speeds, and roadway widths can vary. Like motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists will use these streets for their directness. These may be primary transit routes as well. Must be functionally classified as a collector or arterial. •Vehicle volume: 5,000 to 15,000 AADT •Speed limit: around 40 MPH

  • Proposed Street Cross Section

  • Travel lane width
  • Multimodal accommodation (must have pedestrian accommodation on both sides of the street for full points)
  • Buffer zone

  • Planned Multimodal Safety Features/Amenities

  • Indicate additional features or amenities planned for the corridor (check all that apply) (1 to 2 points)

  • Suburban Commercial Street

    Larger, multi-lane streets connecting suburban areas to denser areas of employment, entertainment, and other services. Higher speeds, access driveways, and longer intervals between intersections characterize these roads. Must be functionally classified as a collector or arterial. •Vehicle volume: 16,000 to 40,000 AADT •Speed limit: around 40 MPH

  • Proposed Street Cross Section

  • Travel lane width
  • Multimodal accommodation (must have pedestrian accommodation on both sides of the street for full points)
  • Buffer zone
  • Landscaped median

  • Planned Multimodal Safety Features/Amenities

  • Indicate additional features or amenities planned for the corridor (check all that apply) (1 to 2 points)

  • Industrial Street

    These primarily serve industrial land uses. Turning radii for intersection must be designed for large trucks. Although pedestrian and bike traffic is usually limited, facilities should be in place for those commuting to work. Transit may also serve businesses on these corridors. Must be functionally classified as a collector or arterial. •Vehicle volume: 1,500 to 9,000 AADT •Speed limit: around 35 MPH

  • Proposed Street Cross Section

  • Travel lane width
  • Multimodal accommodation (must have pedestrian accommodation on both sides of the street for full points)
  • Buffer zone

  • Planned Multimodal Safety Features/Amenities

  • Indicate additional features or amenities planned for the corridor (check all that apply) (1 to 2 points)

  • Rural Street

    These connect rural areas to the region over longer distances. They primarily serve larger lot residential, agricultural uses, and service-oriented business. Although pedestrian and bike traffic is usually limited, facilities should be in place for those commuting to work. Transit may also serve businesses on these corridors. Must be functionally classified as a collector or arterial. •Vehicle volume: 1,500 to 10,000 AADT •Speed limit: around 45+ MPH

  • Proposed Street Cross Section

  • Travel lane width
  • Multimodal accommodation
  • Multiuse path buffer zone

  • Planned Multimodal Safety Features/Amenities

  • Indicate additional features or amenities planned for the corridor (check all that apply) (1 to 2 points)

  • Roadway Projects - Individual Scorer Criteria (30 points max)

  • 0/500
  • 0/500
  • 0/500

  • Greenway/Major Connector Projects - Technical Scoring Criteria (70 points max)

  • Facility Description
  • Project Length
  • Connections
  • Regional Greenways Priority Segment Tier
  • Proposed Path Type (defined in Regional Greenways Plan)
  • Trail Width (along at least 80% of project's length)
  • Trail Surface Treatment (along at least 80% of project's length) - Urban Trail
  • Trail Surface Treatment (along at least 80% of project's length) - Rural Trail
  • Trail Surface Treatment (along at least 80% of project's length) - Sidepath
  • Trail Surface Treatment (along at least 80% of project's length) - Wetlands
  • Trail Surface Treatment (along at least 80% of project's length) - Floodway/Cross-slope/Multiple Driveway Crossings

  • Greenway/Major Connector Projects - Individual Scorer Criteria (30 points max)

  • 0/500
  • 0/500
  • 0/500

  • METROPLAN NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

    Metroplan complies with all civil right provisions of federal statutes and related authorities that prohibit discrimination in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. Therefore, Metroplan does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, or income status, in admission or access to and treatment in Metroplan's programs and activities, as well as Metroplan's hiring or employment practices. Complaints of alleged discrimination and inquiries regarding Metroplan's nondiscrimination policies may be directed to Sydney Dozier, Title VI/ADA/504 Coordinator, 501 West Markham Street, Suite B, Little Rock, AR 72201, (501) 372-3300, or the following e-mail address: sdozier@metroplan.org (Hearing and speech impaired may dial 711).

    This notice is available from the Title VI/ADA/504 Coordinator in large print and on audiotape. Free language assistance for Limited English Proficient individuals is available.

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