$37 million available for multiuse paths

July 18, 2022

Dear Active Transportation partners,

Exciting news! On July 14, the Oregon Transportation Commission approved $4 million in state Transportation Operating Funds for the Community Paths Program 2022 solicitation. There is also $3 million in federal Safe Routes to School funding for community paths projects that address a transportation need of local students. 

That’s $7 million in additional funding for the 2022 solicitation!

Pre-applications will be accepted starting August 1. Here is what you need to know about this round of funding:

• $30 million is available in federal funding for construction or preliminary planning (Project Refinement) for projects between $500,000 and $6 million. Federal-funded grants will require a 10.27% match.
• $3 million is available in federal funding for projects within one mile of a school (K-12) that have a letter from the school detailing the need and how the project addresses that need. These are also for projects between $500,000 and $6 million, and they also require a 10.27% match.
• $4 million is available in State Transportation Operating Funds for smaller construction projects ($300,000 - $1 million). State-funded grants require a 30% match.

Oregon Community Paths, or OCP, is a competitive statewide transportation program that supports investments in multiuse paths that are not part of a roadway. Examples of eligible projects may be routes or segments that pass through a park, along a greenway, or follow abandoned rail corridors to connect community centers, services, housing, employment, schools, and recreation. Some on-road projects, such as roadway crossings for existing paths, are also eligible. OCP projects must serve a transportation purpose (not recreational) and must be open for public use. This program funds two types of community paths: 

• Critical Links – walking and biking connections to schools, downtowns, shopping, employment, and other essential destinations.
• Regional Paths – connecting communities no more than 15 miles apart, or traversing one community with a path 10 miles long or greater; examples include southern Oregon’s Bear Creek Greenway or Portland’s Springwater Corridor.  

Key dates to remember

• 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.

For more information, please sign up for our email list, 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!

The Oregon Community Paths team