Summary#
This bill would create a federal grant program to build and improve “greenway paths” for walking, biking, and other non‑motorized travel. It directs the Secretary of Transportation to set up a national greenway paths network, pick regionally or nationally significant routes, and make competitive grants to eligible governments and tribes. The broad goal is to expand safe, connected active-transportation routes that link communities, parks, transit, and jobs while addressing safety and equity.
Key changes:
- Establishes a new competitive grant program for construction or improvement of hard‑surfaced, wheelchair‑accessible greenway paths and for needed land acquisition.
- Creates a national greenway paths network and lets the Secretary designate regionally or nationally significant greenway paths using several criteria.
- Authorizes $300 million per year for fiscal years 2027–2031 (total $1.5 billion) to carry out the program.
- Sets federal share limits: generally up to 80% of project cost, 90% for rural projects, and up to 100% for projects serving very high‑poverty communities (poverty >40%).
- Requires minimum project size of $15 million for construction projects (planning/design grants must be at least $100,000) and sets aside at least $5 million per year for planning grants and up to $3.5 million per year for administration.
What it means for you#
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Local and regional governments, metropolitan planning organizations, multi‑county districts, states, multi‑state groups, and Indian Tribes
- Can apply for competitive grants to build or improve large greenway path projects that connect communities, parks, transit, and jobs.
- Must meet the program’s eligibility and design standards and generally provide non‑Federal matching funds (see Expenses and Unclear points).
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Communities (urban, suburban, rural)
- Could gain new walking and biking paths that link to transit, parks, schools, and jobs if projects win grants.
- Underserved and high‑poverty communities are an explicit focus; projects that serve those areas may get higher Federal cost share.
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Rural areas
- Rural projects get a higher Federal share (90%) and remain eligible under the program, but project minimums still apply.
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Project sponsors and planners
- Smaller projects under $15 million would generally not qualify for construction grants (though smaller planning grants are possible).
- Applicants should plan for public input, partner commitments, safety and accessibility measures, and possible land acquisition.
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Taxpayers
- The bill authorizes Federal spending for a new program aimed at expanding active-transportation infrastructure.
Expenses#
Estimated public cost: The bill authorizes $300 million per year for fiscal years 2027–2031 (a total authorization of $1.5 billion).
Additional expense details from the bill:
- At least $5 million per year must be set aside for planning grants.
- Up to $3.5 million per year may be used for administration, research, technical help, communications, and training.
- Federal share of project costs: generally up to 80%; 90% for rural projects; up to 100% for projects that serve communities where a majority of census tracts have poverty rates over 40%.
- Project minimums: construction projects must have total costs of at least $15 million; planning/design grants must be at least $100,000.
- Grantees may incur costs for matching funds, land acquisition, planning, design, and construction; these costs are part of the “total project cost” eligible for Federal share as approved by the Secretary.
No publicly available information:
- The bill text authorizes funding levels but does not include a Congressional Budget Office fiscal estimate or detailed cost breakdown beyond the authorization language provided here.
- The bill does not provide detailed estimates of administrative costs beyond the $3.5 million annual set‑aside, nor does it estimate longer‑term maintenance costs for built paths.
Proponents' View#
The bill appears intended to:
- Expand safe, connected walking and biking routes that link communities, parks, transit, and jobs.
- Reduce single‑occupant vehicle trips and lower emissions from criteria pollutants and greenhouse gases by encouraging active transportation.
- Prioritize projects that improve safety and access, especially in underserved and high‑poverty communities.
- Support long‑range planning by reserving funds for planning and design and by creating a national network to guide investments.
- Provide higher Federal support for rural and very high‑poverty areas so projects in those places are more feasible.
Opponents' View#
Possible concerns or trade‑offs that follow from the bill’s design:
- Cost and budget trade‑offs: The program authorizes substantial new Federal spending; the bill does not include a detailed fiscal estimate or specify offsets.
- Minimum project size: The $15 million minimum for construction grants may exclude smaller community projects or require them to combine into larger proposals, which could be a barrier for some jurisdictions.
- Matching funds and capacity: Although Federal shares can be high for rural and very poor areas, most projects require non‑Federal matching money or in‑kind contributions, which may be hard for some communities to provide.
- Broad Secretary discretion and overlap: The Secretary can set additional designation criteria and decide which greenways are regionally or nationally significant; the bill does not clearly explain how this program will interact with existing Federal, State, or local transportation programs.
- Administrative and planning burden: Competitive applications, cooperative agreements for projects on Federal land, and reporting requirements may add staff time and planning costs for applicants.
- Unclear points about implementation: The bill references a “local match required under subsection (g)(1)” but that subsection concerns timing of the application notice, creating ambiguity about any additional local match rules not clearly stated in the bill.