Public Invited to Comment on Proposed Bike/Pedistrian Projects

$8.5 million is available for alternative projects

  The Oregon Department of Transportation is seeking input from the public on projects being considered for funding through the Transportation Enhancement-Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (TE-OBPAC) 2012 Combined Solicitation program. Projects chosen will receive state-funded grants from ODOT’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Program (OBPAC) or federal funds from the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), formerly the Transportation Enhancement (TE) Program. An online survey will collect input. To provide input over the phone, call the ODOT Active Transportation Section at (503) 986-3528 or (503) 986-3555. Comments will be accepted through 5:00 p.m., January 31, 2013. 

Fifty-three projects, requesting approximately $50 million, have advanced to the public input portion of the process. ODOT initially received 155 proposals. The total amount available for the program is approximately $8.5 million. The combined OBPAC and TE advisory committees will use the input to help determine which projects to recommend for formal approval by the Oregon Transportation Commission in March, 2013; funds will then be awarded beginning in July, 2013.

Eligible projects include bicycle and pedestrian facilities within or outside a street right-of-way, such as sidewalks and pedestrian crossings; intersection improvements; streetscapes; bike boulevards and minor roadway widening for bikeways; and shared-use paths within or separate from a roadway corridor. Projects also include transportation-related scenic, environmental, and community improvement activities shown in the “Transportation Alternatives” list below.

Transportation Alternative Activities

(Paraphrased; for complete text, see Section 1103(13) of the MAP21 legislation) 

A)          Bicycle & Pedestrian Facilities
On-road and off-road trail facilities, sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, pedestrian and bicycle signals, traffic calming techniques, lighting, other safety-related infrastructure, and ADA compliance

B)          Safe Routes for Non-drivers 
Infrastructure and systems that help children, older adults, and indi­vi­duals with disabilities access daily needs.

C)         Rails-to-Trails
Conversion and use of abandoned railroad corridors for trails for pedestrians, bicyclists, or other nonmotorized transportation users.

D)         Scenic Viewpoints
Turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas.

E)          Community Improvement Activities

(i)     inventory, control, or removal of outdoor advertising

(ii)     preservation and rehabilitation of historic transportation facilities

(iii)    vegetation management to improve roadway safety, prevent invasive species, or provide erosion control

(iv)    archaeological activities relating to impacts from eligible transportation projects.

F)     Environmental Mitigation
Any mitigation activity, including: 

(i)     Stormwater management and control, water pollution prevention or abatement, 

(ii)     Reducing vehicle-caused wildlife mortality, restoring and maintaining connectivity among terrestrial or aquatic habitats.

To keep up-to-date on the TE-OBPAC process, visit the website.