After a three-year discussion with the community to identify the region’s most urgent transportation needs, four investment priorities emerged in development of the 2018 Regional Transportation Plan. Projects funded through the 2025-2027 RFFA are to align with the four primary RTP investment priorities. The four priorities are:
- equity: reduce disparities and barriers faced by communities of color, people in poverty, and people with low English proficiency
- safety: reduce fatal and severe injury crashes, particularly focusing on the High Crash Corridor network and equity focus areas identified in the Regional Transportation Plan
- climate: expand transit, complete regional active transportation networks, and leverage emerging technology to meet Climate Smart Strategy policies
- congestion: manage congestion and travel demand through low-cost, high value solutions.
The regional funds are allocated through a two-step process. This ensures the region is investing in the system in accordance with Regional Transportation Plan direction and the regional flexible funding objectives. Step 1 funds a series of ongoing commitments that the region has determined are critical to meeting federal requirements and our regional goals. Step 2 includes capital investments identified by local jurisdictions. Jurisdictions apply for Step 2 funds through a project selection process.
Metro received 29 applications for consideration for the 2025-27 Regional Flexible Funds. Learn about the projects submitted:
For this cycle, there was roughly $67.3 million available for projects that will help make the region’s transportation system more equitable, safer, cleaner and more reliable. Of the $67.4 million, $20 million is dedicated to trail projects that will be funded through the 2019 Metro Parks and Nature bond measure. The remaining $47.4 million is Federal funding for investments that were identified in the 2018 Regional Transportation Plan.