Paths Grant Program to kick off next funding round with webinars

Jan. 31, 2022

Dear Active Transportation partners,

We are pleased to announce the 2022 solicitation of the Oregon Community Paths Grant Program will begin accepting Pre-Applications, the first step in the application process, in August 2022, creating even more investments in walking and biking facilities across Oregon. Oregon Community Paths, or OCP, invests in facilities that are not primarily on or along a roadway. These “off-system” paths may be bike/pedestrian paths or path segments such as:

• “Regional Paths” that connect communities, or larger paths.
• “Critical Links” that connect to major destinations (employment centers, schools, large transit stations, etc.).

The 2022 solicitation is notable in that 1) It is only funded federally, as state funds allocated to this program will not be offered until the 2024 solicitation, and 2) There will be additional federal Surface Transportation Block Grant, or STBG, funding directed to this program by the Oregon Transportation Commission for this solicitation.

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants include cities, counties, federally recognized tribes, school districts or transportation districts.

What types of walking and biking projects are eligible?

Eligible projects include those that could, for example:

• Traverse a park to connect to another path.
• Go between housing developments to connect to a school or another path.
• Go along greenways or old rail lines.
• Exist in areas that are not otherwise within the public right of way.
• Cross streets, connecting paths.

Where is the funding from?

The 2022 Solicitation will use federal Transportation Alternatives Program and Commission-directed STBG funding. There will be no state-funded projects this solicitation.

What are we trying to achieve?

Our goal is to complement existing active transportation programs in communities across the state.

Oregon’s Strategic Action Plan prioritizes building, maintaining and operating a modern, multimodal transportation system to serve all Oregonians, address climate change, and help Oregon communities and economies thrive. OCP supports that plan by increasing bicyclist and pedestrian safety, reducing the impact on the climate, increasing connectivity, and increasing opportunities for people of all ages, abilities, race, ethnicities and incomes in urban, suburban and rural areas across the state to bike or walk to reach their destinations. It increases multimodal transportation options and helps ensure transportation-disadvantaged communities are served and included in decision making.

Key dates

(Sign up to receive updates on the program, webinar registration information, application availability, etc.)

• March 17 – OCP 2022 Solicitation webinar (1 p.m. – 2 p.m.) – Registration required.
• April 14 – OCP 2022 Solicitation webinar (Noon  – 1 p.m.) – Registration required.
• May 18 – OCP 2022 Solicitation webinar (11 a.m. – Noon) – Registration required.
• August 1 to September 15 – Pre-Applications accepted.
• November 1 to January 31, 2023 – Applications accepted.
• May 2023 – Oregon Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee makes recommendations.
• July 2023 – Oregon Transportation Commission approves projects.
• October 2023 – Projects begin.

What’s next?

We plan to publish solicitation and guidance materials soon, and we will notify everyone through email and other announcements. For more information, please sign up for one of our webinars, or contact Alan Thompson, PATHS Program manager, 971-375-3903 or Alan.L.Thompson@odot.oregon.gov

Thank you for your support of safe walking and rolling in Oregon!