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NEWS - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 8, 2005
WSDOT Has Grants Available for Local Transportation Projects
Communities across the state have an opportunity to enhance their transportation system and improve safety through several grant programs being offered by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). WSDOT administers both federal and state grant funding to qualified communities and organizations and today issued a “call for projects” for five separate grant programs:
Federal Transportation Enhancement Program
This federal program has $42 million available to public agencies and non-profit organizations in Washington for innovative transportation-related projects that contribute to a community’s transportation needs and goals. Regional Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPO) will prioritize projects within their respective areas following the Enhancement Advisory Committee guidelines. The Enhancement Advisory Committee will submit their recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation for final selections. Eligible projects may include:
- Restoring historic transportation facilities
- Building bike and pedestrian trails and walkways
- Landscaping and scenic beautification
- Treating stormwater runoff and reducing pollution from roadways
Contact: Dave Kaiser, 360-705-7381 http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/TA/ProgMgt/Grants/Enhance.htm
Federal Rural County Two-Lane Roadways & Intersection and Corridor Safety Programs
Two federal grant programs offer over $39 million to improve safety in Washington State. After reviewing accident history in the state, it was determined that rural county two-lane roadways, intersections, and high-speed corridors have the highest accidents.
- Rural County Two-Lane Roadways program is a federal pilot program targeted at reducing the accident rates on rural two-lane roads. This program provides funding for low-cost safety improvement projects. All Washington counties are eligible to apply for the $19.5 million available, and may receive up to $500,000 per county for roadway safety improvements. Applications are due to WSDOT by September 12, 2005. Grants may fund safety improvements such as:
- Centerline or shoulder “rumble strips” that jar motorists when they stray out of their lanes
- Pavement marking, guideposts, and warning signs
- Roadside clearing to remove fixed objects and enable motorists to recover their vehicle if they run off of the road
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/TA/ProgMgt/Grants/Two_Lane_Roadway.htm
- Intersection and Corridor Safety program is targeted at reducing the accident rates at intersections and within corridors. This program provides funding for safety projects that eliminate or reduce fatal or injury accidents at high accident intersections and within high accident corridors. All cities, towns, counties, ports, and tribal governments are eligible to apply for the $20 million available. Applications are due to WSDOT by October 10, 2005. Grants may fund safety improvements such as:
- Intersection and roadway improvements
- Centerline or shoulder “rumble strips” that jar motorists when they stray out of their lanes
- Pavement marking and guardrail
- Roadside clearing to remove fixed objects and enable motorists to recover their vehicle if they run off of the road
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/TA/ProgMgt/Grants/Intersection_Corridor.htm
Contact: Mike Horton, 360-705-7375
Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Grant and Safe Routes to Schools Program
Two state grant programs offer a total of $5 million to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety in Washington. The 2005 Washington State Legislature created the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety grant program and continued the Safe Routes to Schools Program. Applications are due to WSDOT by October 3, 2005. Recommendations will be provided to the state legislature by December 15, 2005.
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety grants are available to all public agencies for projects that make pedestrian and bicycle improvements at accident locations, intersections, and transit facilities; construct paths; and improves safety for children, elderly, and people with disabilities. http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/TA/ProgMgt/Grants/Pedestrian_Bicycle.htm
- Safe Routes to Schools grants are available to schools and school districts for projects that improve safety for children and encourage healthy lifestyles through walking or biking. Projects may include sidewalks, pathways, and other street safety measures; education programs; enforcement; and community health initiatives. http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/TA/ProgMgt/Grants/Safe_Routes.htm
Contact: Mike Horton, 360-705-7375
Additional information can be found at: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/TA/HomePage/HLPHP.html
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