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.

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)

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

Project Information and Description

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

Project Development (5 points max)

Project Purpose, Need & Design (65 points max)

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

2. Existing Design Safety (15 points max)

3. Travel Reliability & Volume (15 points max)

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)

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.