Pacific Northwest

3/27/19 update: HB 2007 has been scheduled for a work session on April 4, 2019. The bill was scheduled prior to the first chamber deadline so that it may continue to advance this session. While no amendments have been posted yet, we're supporting partners in asking for amendments that will strengthen the bill. Read our post from earlier this month for more details:

After two years of study and collaboration with community partners, the Portland Bureau of Transportation is ready to showcase PedPDX, Portland’s citywide pedestrian plan. It prioritizes sidewalk and crossing improvements and other investments to make walking safer and more comfortable across the city. The plan identifies the key strategies and tools we will use to make Portland a great walking city for everyone. 

ODOT is gearing up for the next round of SRTS funding, including the Non-Infrastructure, Rapid Response and Project Identification Programs. The Non-Infrastructure Program opens in April, with about $500,000/yr available for the 3-year grant cycle, and can help fund education, encouragement and enforcement programs. About $1.8M is available for the Rapid Response Program, for projects that simply cannot wait for the 2021 competition. More details are expected soon on the Project ID Program.

With the First Chamber deadline quickly approaching, we're monitoring key transportation and climate bills advancing in the Oregon Legislature. Here are just a few bills we're watching:

In the Washington Legislature, we work closely with partners at Healthy Living Collaborative, Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition, and Washington Bikes to track bills. Our primary focus is on improving health outcomes, increasing safety for people who walk, bike, and access transit, and securing funding for transportation projects to achieve those goals. 

February 28 update: 

The Salem Keizer Area Transportation Study (SKATS) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has opened the application period for the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Approximately $15 million will be made available for transportation projects in 2022 – 2024. Public agencies capable of contracting with ODOT are eligible to receive funding. Private entities and non-profits may also apply as co-applicants with a public agency.

The Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council updated the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) for Clark County during 2018, and is now available as a draft for public comment. This is a regular update that occurs approximately every 4-5 years, to comply with federal requirements and to ensure continued consistency between federal, state, regional and local plans.

The RTP update focuses on the following themes:

The Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) is a new dedicated source of funding for expanding public transportation service in Oregon. (Read our earlier coverage of STIF & activity in the Salem-area). Eighteen of the forty-two eligible transit providers in Oregon have submitted applications for the first STIF review cycle, which started in November 2018.