(A) Statewide Transportation Improvement Program.
(1) The Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) is ODOT’s short-term capital improvement program, providing project funding and scheduling information for the department and Oregon’s metropolitan planning organizations. It is a four-year program developed through the coordinated efforts of ODOT, federal and local governments, Area Commissions on Transportation, tribal governments and the public.
(2) In developing this funding program, ODOT must verify that the identified projects comply with the Oregon Transportation Plan, ODOT Modal Plans, Corridor Plans, local comprehensive plans, and SAFETEA-LU planning requirements. The STIP must fulfill federal planning requirements for a staged, multi-year, statewide, intermodal program of transportation projects. Specific transportation projects are prioritized based on federal planning requirements and the different state plans. ODOT consults with local jurisdictions before highway-related projects are added to the STIP.
(B) ORS 366.514. Often referred to as the “Oregon Bike Bill”, this law applies equally to bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The statute’s intent is to ensure that future roads be built to accommodate bicycle and pedestrian travel. The statute requires the provision of bicycle and pedestrian facilities on all major arterial and collector roadway construction, reconstruction or relocation projects where conditions permit. The statute also requires that in any fiscal year, at least 1% of highway funds allocated to a jurisdiction must be used for bicycle/pedestrian projects.
(C) Oregon Transportation Infrastructure Bank.
(1) The Oregon Transportation Infrastructure Bank is a statewide revolving loan fund designed to promote innovative transportation funding solutions. Oregon’s program was started in 1996 as part of a ten-state federal pilot program. Additional legislation passed in 1997 by the Oregon Legislature establishes the program in state law and includes expanded authority. Eligible borrowers include cities, counties, transit districts, other special districts, port authorities, tribal governments, state agencies and private for-profit and non-profit entities. Eligible projects include:
(a) Highway projects, such as roads, signals, intersection improvements and bridges;
(b) Transit capital projects, such as buses, equipment and maintenance or passenger facilities; and
(c) Bicycle or pedestrian access projects on highway right-of-way.
(2) Eligible project costs include preliminary engineering, environmental studies, right-of-way acquisition, construction (including project management and engineering), inspections, financing costs and contingencies.
(D) Measure 66 Funds - Oregon State Lottery. Ballot Measure 66 amends the Oregon Constitution to allow money from the state lottery to be used for restoring and protecting Oregon’s parks, beaches, watersheds and critical fish and wildlife habitat. Funds are coordinated by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and may be used for trail-related right-of-way acquisition and construction.
(E) Special Transportation Fund. The State’s Special Transportation Fund Program (STF) provides financial support to designated counties, transit districts and Indian tribal governments for special transportation services benefitting seniors and people with disabilities. The majority of the STF money (75%) is allocated on a population-based formula. The remaining funds are distributed by the Public Transportation Discretionary Grant Program.
(F) Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Grants. The Pedestrian and Bicycle Grant Program is a competitive grant program providing approximately $5 million every two years to Oregon cities, counties and ODOT regional and district offices for design and construction of pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Proposed facilities must be within public rights-of-way. Grants are awarded by the Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
(G) Bicyclist Safety Mini-Grant Program. The Community Cycling Center Bicyclist Mini-Grant Program provides funding to public agencies and non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations to promote the safety of bicyclists in Oregon. Funding is available statewide through a grant to the Community Cycling Center from ODOT’s Transportation Safety Division. Funding is available for projects targeting youth and/or adults, with a focus on projects incorporating a strong educational element, especially in communities that do not currently have access to bike safety education resources. For communities that currently do have access to these resources, innovative and creative project proposals are highly encouraged. Applicants may apply for grants between $800 and $5,000.
(H) Pedestrian Safety Mini-Grant Program. Administered by Oregon’s Bicycle Transportation Alliance and the Willamette Pedestrian Coalition, the Pedestrian Safety Mini-Grant Program is funded through ODOT’s Traffic Safety Division. The program provides funds to police departments around the state to stage crosswalk enforcement actions against motorists who fail to yield to pedestrians. In these operations, a decoy police officer attempts to cross a street at an intersection or marked crosswalk (crosswalk laws apply to unmarked crosswalks as well). If passing motorists fail to stop and yield for the pedestrian, they are issued either a warning or a citation. The operations include a media outreach component, with the purpose of raising awareness around motorists’ responsibility toward pedestrians. Grant funds may also be used to offer diversion classes that violators can take in lieu of paying tickets. Applicants may apply for grants up to $5,000.
(I) Business Energy Tax Credits (BETC). Offered by the Oregon Department of Energy, BETCs reward companies who invest in energy conservation, recycling, renewable energy resources and less-polluting transportation fuels. Eligible applicants include trade, business or rental property owners with business sites in Oregon or Oregon non-profit organizations, tribes or public entities partnering with an Oregon business or resident. Non-profit organizations, schools and other public entities can use a transfer option for a cash-sum payment. Investments in alternative fuel infrastructure projects can recoup 50% of eligible project costs over five years. Projects with eligible costs under $20,000 can take the tax credit in one year. Employer bicycle purchases may be eligible for a 35% of cost grant. To receive the credit, an application must be submitted prior to the beginning of the project, and again after the project is completed, indicating the resulting reduction in vehicle miles traveled.
(Ord. passed 6- -2009)