The next round of regional flexible funds are available for 2028 through 2030. The estimated amount available for Step 2 is about $42 million. While 2028 may seem far off, it is necessary that projects are selected by summer 2025 to prepare the awarded projects for the federal funding process.
Metro held a call for projects from Sept. 6 through Nov. 22, 2024. Cities, counties and parks districts submitted applications to receive flexible funds for local transportation projects in the greater Portland region that align with the region's funding priorities.
Project details
Metro received 24 applications requesting a little over $140 million in total. Among the applications, 19 projects requested federal funds to support construction, and the other five projects requested federal funds for project development activities only.
Check out this summary of the applications received, which also includes the requested amounts and a map of the proposed projects:
This document includes more details about each project:
A public comment period for these projects was held from March 26 to April 30, 2025. Although the survey is closed, you can still access the map, available in English and Spanish.
Step 2 projects map (English)
Step 2 projects map (Spanish)
Application evaluations
The requests for regional flexible funds are much greater than the estimated Step 2 amount available, so Metro conducted two different types of technical evaluations to help prioritize the submissions and understand:
- How the proposed projects, as described in the applications, advance regional goals and objectives
- The potential project delivery risks
The outcomes evaluation report shares the results of the regional goals and objectives assessment, and the excel workbook provides the evaluation metrics and scores for each Step 2 project application:
Next steps
Metro has reviewed feedback from the public comment period in the public comment report:
The Transportation Policy Alternatives Committee (TPAC) will form recommendation that will go to the Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation (JPACT) for their consideration. JPACT will then deliberate and send their recommendation to Metro Council. Metro Council is anticipated to adopt a final decision on the 2028-30 Regional Flexible Fund Allocation, including the new project bond and Step 2 competitive allocation to local projects in July 2025. See the process graphic and the work plan for more timeline details.