In the ongoing process of developing the 2021-2024 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), the Oregon Transportation Commission provided guidance to ODOT on three leverage programs and on the allocation of funding for Fix-It programs at its April meeting.

Fix-It funding
Fix-It programs—including bridge, pavement, culverts and operations— maintain or fix the state highway system. It’s the largest category in the STIP, with $850,000,000 in total funding.

House Bill 2017 directs how ODOT allocates new state funding among bridges, pavement, seismic resilience, culverts, and other Fix-It programs. ODOT’s recommended Fix-It funding allocation proposed using federal funds to ensure that total funding for each program aligns with the Investment Strategy the Commission adopted in January 2017. The Commission concurred with this approach.

The Commission also supported ODOT’s proposal to select additional Fix-It projects that would be constructed if federal funding comes in above the amount assumed in the STIP. The Commission gave direction in December to invest the first $40 million in additional federal funding in a Strategic Investment program designed to enhance the state highway system; any funding above that level will go to Fix-It programs. ODOT recommended selecting $80 million in projects across Fix-It programs to have projects ready for construction should additional federal funding materialize.

The allocation of funds in the STIP is available on ODOT’s 2021-2024 STIP webpage.

Leverage program guidance
In December the Commission provided funding for three leverage programs that will allow ODOT to add enhance, safety, and non-highway features to Fix-It projects on the state highway system:
• State Highway Leverage ($23.8 million): Funds the addition of enhance elements.
• Safety Leverage ($30 million): Funds from HB 2017 to add safety features.
• Active Transportation Leverage ($21 million): Funds the enhancement and addition of active transportation features—including bicycle, pedestrian, and public transportation elements.

A guidance document approved by the Commission lays out general rules for the three leverage programs and specific rules for each individual program. The guidance document emphasizes the role that Area Commissions on Transportation (ACTs) will play in recommending projects: “Leverage programs will provide ACTs an opportunity to use their knowledge of regional needs on the state highway system to provide input on adding features to Fix-It projects. Regions will develop options for investment of leverage funds and are expected to consult with ACTs in project selection.”

What’s next?
The Commission’s direction to ODOT completes the first phase of development of the 2021-2024 STIP. In the next phase, ODOT will scope projects and evaluate them with the ACTs. The next phase will take over a year and end with a Draft STIP recommendation to the Commission in mid-2019.

For more information on the 2021-2024 STIP, visit ODOT’s STIP webpage