Regional planning council seeks public input on $19 million in transportation grants 

The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) invites the public to provide input on over $19 million in transportation grants to be distributed in 2024.  

Funded by the Federal Highway Administration and local sources, these grants will fund various projects and programs scheduled to begin between 2025 and 2030.  

To ensure public comments are considered, TRPC accepts feedback until August 25, 2024, at 5 p.m.  

Comments must be submitted to Paul Brewster, TRPC senior planner, at brewstp@trpc.org or Thurston Regional Planning Council, 2411 Chandler Court SW, Olympia, WA 98502.  

The Transportation Policy Board will review the proposals on September 11, and the TRPC will award the grants on December 6, based in part on alignment with regional priorities and established evaluation criteria. 

Twenty-two proposals were submitted for various grant programs. 

Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) Grant proposals. This grant will support projects that reduce carbon emissions, such as enhancing public transit, improving non-motorized infrastructure, and promoting alternative fuels, to help the region meet its environmental and sustainability goals while improving transportation efficiency.  

TRPC will allocate a little over $1.7 million ($1,708,335) in federal CRP funds to support transportation projects starting between 2025 to 2027. The council has received four proposals, with a combined request of $2,759,044: 

• Intercity Transit's Two New Smart Corridors (Phase 4) project - $1,297,500 (funding request) 

• Lacey's College Street Corridor Improvements Phase 3 project - $570,000 

• Thurston County's Chehalis Western Trail Preservation (MP 8 TO MP 8.6 Urban) - $445,772 

• Thurston County's Chehalis Western Trail Preservation (MP 2.4 to MP 3.25 Rural) - $445,772 

Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ). Eligible projects include public transit enhancements, carpooling and ridesharing initiatives, bike and pedestrian pathways, traffic flow improvements, and alternative fuel vehicle programs. These projects aim to decrease vehicle emissions and promote sustainable transportation options. 

TRPC will allocate approximately $5 million in CMAQ funds to support transportation projects starting between 2025 and 2027.  

TRPC received three proposals under this program: 

• Intercity Transit's Battery Electric Dial-A-Lift Vehicles with Charging Infrastructure - $1,065,680 

• Tumwater's Deschutes Valley Trail (Segment C) - $2,595,000 

• Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (WA DES) – Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project (multi-modal planning) - $350,000 

Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG). TRPC will allocate around $10 million in STBG funds to support a wide range of projects, including road and bridge work, public transit, bike/pedestrian infrastructure, traffic safety, air quality initiatives, as well as planning, research, and transportation alternatives like recreational trails and safe routes to schools. 

TRPC has received 11 proposals under this program funding, with a total request of $14,305,759. 

• Lacey's College Street Corridor Improvements Phase 3 - $1,538,284 

• Olympia's Martin Way Corridor Project - $2.5 million 

• Olympia's Pacific Avenue Enhanced Crosswalks - $1.5 million 

• Tumwater's Trosper Road Mobility Study - $173,000 

• Thurston County's Old Pacific Hwy/Kuhlman Rd Intersection Improvements - $1,989,500 

• Thurston County's Meridian Rd/Mullen Rd SE Intersection Improvements - $272,475 

• Yelm's Rhoton Rd NW Reconstruction - $3.6 million 

• Thurston County's Tilley Rd Bridge Replacement (T-2) - $750,000 

• Thurston County's Old Hwy 99 at Intersection of Sargent Rd - $600,000 

• TRPC – Regional Trails Plan Implementation - $650,000 

Transportation Alternatives Grant. Eligible projects under this funding program include initiatives that improve pedestrian and bicycle facilities, upgrade transit amenities, and support Safe Routes to School projects. The program also funds environmental mitigation projects, historic preservation, and scenic byway enhancements.  

TRPC will allocate approximately $2,475,000 in TA funds to support transportation projects. It received two proposals with a total request of $3,353,232.  

• Intercity Transit's Walk N Roll (2027-2030) - $1,623,232 

• Thurston County's Chehalis Western Trail Preservation (MP 8 to MP 8.6) - $1,730,000 

Rural Community Support Program Grant. The program was established by TRPC in partnership with Thurston County, to fund initiatives for the region's small rural communities. TRPC will allocate approximately $550,000 in RCSP funds to support transportation projects.  

TRPC has received three proposals, with a combined total request of $550,000.  

• Bucoda's Main Street Sidewalk Replacement - $183,333 

• Rainier's Citywide Thermoplastic Striping Project - $183,333 

• Nisqually Indian Tribe's Camas Road Extension Sidewalk Project - $183,333