CMAP has released the proposed projects for inclusion in the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2016-20 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program and FFY 2015-17 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) for a public review and comment period. CMAQ projects are ranked based on cost per kilogram of volatile organic compounds (VOC) eliminated and CMAP's rigorous standards for project effectiveness, transportation impact, and overall regional priority. A total of 42 projects are recommended for funding, representing a diverse $274 million five-year program. Projects include bicycle facilities and trails as well as intersection, signal, and transit improvements in dozens of communities across the region. The proposed TAP includes $28 million for bicycle facility projects that are ranked on the level of accommodation they provide to bicyclists, the market for the facility, and their capacity to help complete the Regional Greenways and Trails Plan.

The proposed programs are available for comment through 4:00 p.m. on Monday, August 17, 2015. Comments can be submitted to info@cmap.illinois.gov and should include "CMAQ-TAP Public Comment" in the subject line of the email or mailed to CMAP, ATTN CMAQ-TAP Public Comment, 233 S. Wacker Dr., Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606.

Past CMAQ projects include the Navy Pier Flyover, the City of Chicago's Divvy Bikeshare Program, The Cal-Sag Trail, and The 606. Read more in the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, and DNAInfo. The Addison Underbridge Connection, a project that has received partial funding through TAP-Local, was also recently in the news.