Regional planners open call for projects

The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) has announced the opening of the 2024 Call for Projects with almost $20 million in funding available from the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration through four federal grant programs.

Grant awards will be available to implement projects and programs between 2025 and 2030.

TRPC is a federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization and a state-designated Regional Transportation Planning Organization. It has the authority to administer federal grant program funds to transportation projects, programs, and services that serve the local community.

The four federal grant programs include:

• Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG)
• Provides funding for a wide range of surface transport capital needs. $10 million is available. Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ)

The program aims to support projects that reduce emissions from transportation sources, improve air quality, and alleviate traffic congestion. Established under the Clean Air Act, CMAQ funding helps support projects that address the challenges of traffic congestion and air pollution facing urban areas. $5 million is available.

• Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program (TA)
• Provides funding for a variety of generally smaller-scale transportation projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, turnouts, overlooks and viewing areas, community improvements like historic preservation and vegetation management, environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity, recreational trails, safe routes to school projects, and assessments to improve safety for vulnerable road users like pedestrians and bicyclists. $2.5 million is available. Carbon Reduction Program (CRP)

Provides funds for projects designed to reduce transportation emissions, defined as carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from on-road highway sources. $1.7 million is available.

TRPC's Rural Community Support Program (RCSP) also has $550,000 in funds for projects that serve the region's underserved communities. The program can fund small but impactful projects.

Local governments, transit agencies, and other public entities in Thurston County are invited to submit project applications for the 2024 Call for Projects and Rural Community Support Program between June 10 and July 12.

The application and selection process will include reviews by the Technical Advisory Committee, Transportation Policy Board, and Thurston Regional Planning Council before final projects are selected and approved on December 6.