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Regional flexible funding

Planning and conservation  ›  Regional planning and policy  ›  MPO for the Portland region  ›  Regional flexible funding

Learn about the process for allocating regional flexible funds for transportation projects and programs in the region.

Regional flexible fund program

Metro manages the regional flexible fund program for which the Metro Council and the Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation select transportation programs and projects for federal flexible funds. Flexible funds, though they comprise only about 4 percent of the transportation investment in our region, attract considerable interest because they may be spent on a greater variety of transportation projects than can most federal transportation funds.

Regional flexible funds come from two different federal grant programs: the Surface Transportation Program and the Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality Program. The regional flexible fund allocation process identifies which projects in the Regional Transportation Plan will receive funding. Regional flexible funds are allocated every two years.

Learn more about the RTP

Project and program applications may be nominated by jurisdictions, transportation or transit agencies within the metropolitan region. These funds can be spent on a number of different types of improvements, except local street construction. Also, projects must be listed in the Regional Transportation Plan or subsequently added if not already listed.

2016-18 flexible funds allocation

The Portland metropolitan region is preparing to prioritize transportation projects and program activities to receive $94.58 million in regional flexible funds available in the federal fiscal years 2016 through 2018. The approach to allocating these funds relies on collaboration to advance transportation investments that keep our neighborhoods safe, support economic vitality and make the most of the transportation system in place today.

Policy framework

The policy framework serves as the guide for how the region will approach allocation of the 2016-18 regional flexible funds. The 2035 Regional Transportation Plan established six regional outcomes – vibrant communities, economic prosperity, safe and reliable transportation, leadership on climate change, clean air and water, and equity – to direct investment decisions for the transportation system.

Learn about the 2035 RTP

Additionally, for the 2016-18 regional flexible funds a more detailed policy direction was provided by the Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation (JPACT) and the Metro Council.

The 2016-18 policy framework allocates the regional flexible funds in three steps.

1. Step one includes an allocation of $26.01 million to region-wide programs including transit-oriented development, transportation systems management and operations, regional travel options, regional metropolitan planning organization planning, and corridor and systems planning.
2. Step two is an allocation of $34.77 million to the community investment funds for active transportation/complete streets and the green economy/freight initiatives.
3. Step three allocates the remaining $33.80 million to a regional economic opportunity fund that targets larger-scale projects that support job creation.

Project and region-wide program applications were submitted by March 15, 2013. A list of nominated projects can be found below.

Public comment period

The public comment period on the applications for the 2016-18 regional flexible funds is set to begin in May 2013 and run through June 2013. Please check back at the website for further information regarding the public comment period.

2016-18 RFFA resource guide

During the 2016-2018 RFFA project solicitation process, Metro made available to the applicants and the general public a resource guide which comprised of demographic and transportation-related data. The high level data was compiled by Metro staff. The resource guide intended use is to help local and regional partners prioritize project to put forward in the RFFA competition and also provide general information about the region.

Learn more about Regional Transportation System Monitoring and Performance

Learn more about the MTIP burdens and benefits analysis 

2016-2018 Regional Flexible Funds Allocation Materials

• Submitted Projects List 98K Adobe Acrobat PDF
• 2016-2018 RFFA Policy Report 337K Adobe Acrobat PDF
• 2016-2018 RFFA Project Nomination Packet 363K Adobe Acrobat PDF
• 2015-2015 RFFA Nomination Packet 402K Adobe Acrobat PDF
• 2014-2015 RFFA Public Comment Report 12.9M Adobe Acrobat PDF