December 23, 1981 is a historical moment in time for the Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP). It was the day then President Ronald Reagan signed a bill into law that officially established the Rural Technical Assistance Program (RTAP). The purpose of RTAP was to provide technical assistance, training, and products to counties within the States. By 1991 under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act legislation, the RTAP concept was expanded to include urban areas renaming the program, LTAP. In addition, the Tribal Technical Assistance Program (TTAP) centers were established. Today, there is an LTAP center in every State including Puerto Rico that services more than 38,000 local agencies and a TTAP center that serve the American Indian Tribal Governments.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is proud to continue our support of the LTAP/TTAP network doing our part to help grow the transportation workforce, encourage the use of innovations in technology that improve safety, and provide subject-matter support on transportation issues that help build communities. During the pandemic, the LTAPs hosted and delivered training and education to approximately 147,000 participants offering over 1,100 trainings sessions. This speaks to the dedication of the centers and their mission to serve their communities in each State.
FHWA is collaborating with the National Local and Tribal Technical Assistance Program Association to celebrate the 40th anniversary by taking a look back at the people and the many program successes over the past 40 years. We congratulate the LTAPs and TTAPs on a successful 40 years and look forward to continuing our partnership to transform transportation for the next 40 years and beyond.
