NASHVILLE (AP) — The Tennessee Department of Transportation has created a fund to support the transportation needs of public transit users, pedestrians and bicyclists.

According to the department, projects eligible under the new Multimodal Access Fund include sidewalks, pedestrian crossing improvements, bus shelters, park-and-ride facilities and bicycle lanes. Projects cannot exceed $1 million in total cost and require a 5 percent local match.

Projects requests for funding should be submitted to TDOT through local Rural and Metropolitan Planning Organizations. Applications for the first round of funding will be accepted beginning on Friday and must be received no later than Dec. 20.

More information is available on the TDOT website at http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/publictrans.