SALEM, OR — The Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) recently provided $65 million for an Enhance Highway Discretionary Program to address congestion and freight mobility issues on state highways that impact the state’s trade-based economy. The program will fund a variety of types of projects that improve how highways operate — from auxiliary lanes and passing lanes, to truck climbing lanes and freight improvements, to intelligent transportation systems and other technology.

While projects will be focused on congestion relief and improving freight mobility, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) will factor in safety, equity, climate change, and multimodal accessibility as the department picks the best projects across the state. To ensure geographic balance, the commission has set aside a minimum of 30 percent of funding for rural areas.

ODOT is in the process of consulting area commissions on transportation, metropolitan planning organizations, and other stakeholders about the best projects. Based on these conversations, ODOT staff will submit proposals for priority projects by the end of August. These proposals will be winnowed down to about $80 million in projects that will be scoped to further refine the conceptual project details and cost estimate. In December and January, ODOT will again reach out to ACTs and MPOs for additional feedback on this draft list, which will then be narrowed to the final list of projects totaling $65 million by March of 2022.

In January, the Oregon Transportation Commission approved $255 million of funding to programs specifically dedicated to public and active transportation in the 2024-2027 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) — an increase of nearly $100 million from the previous STIP. This increase in funding helps advance the agency’s Strategic Action Plan, which prioritizes increased funding for public and active transportation.

The Public and Active Transportation category includes a variety of programs for public transportation, pedestrian and bicycle projects, Safe Routes to School (SRTS) education and infrastructure, and Transportation Options programs. ODOT also provides funding for public and active transportation in other funding categories, such as safety, local government, and ADA accessibility programs.

ODOT’s Public Transportation Division is working to get these programs ready to offer grants and select projects on state highways.

The OTC provided an allocation of $55 million for pedestrian and bicycle projects and SRTS infrastructure projects that will address the areas of most need on the state highway system. The Pedestrian and Bicycle Strategic Funding Program provides $45 million to address critical gaps in the state highway system for walking and biking. The ODOT SRTS construction sub-allocation is $10 million in federal funding to help reduce pedestrian and bicycle network gaps on ODOT roads within a mile of a school.

The Pedestrian and Bicycle Strategic Funding Program and ODOT SRTS infrastructure program sub-allocation may be used for projects on the state system beginning in 2024. The Public Transportation Division is compiling needs lists, identifying possible projects, developing design approaches and cost estimates, and prioritizing scoped projects for inclusion in the 2024-2027 STIP.

In addition, there will be an opportunity to apply for education/capacity building grants to provide educational programs and engagement for families to encourage safe transportation options. These programs help local communities and tribes to help alleviate barriers for students walking and rolling (bicycling, skating, scooting, etc.) to school.Through Oregon’s Keep Oregon Moving Act and the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, ODOT’s Safe Routes to School Program includes $11 million annually increasing to $16 million annually starting in 2023 for four programs:  

• Competitive Construction Grant Program allocates at least $8.7 million annually. Grants available in 2023, application solicitation in 2022.
• Rapid Response Construction Grant Program allocates up to $1 million annually. Grants available now.
• Project Identification Program (planning assistance) allocates up to $250,000 annually. Services available in 2023, application solicitation in 2022.
• Safe Routes to School Education Grants and services utilize at least $1 million annually for competitive, capacity-building grants, statewide activities like Walk+Roll to School events, engagement materials, and technical assistance.