Overwhelming Response to
Biking & Walking Promotion
Caltrans District 8
Over 770
applications for new biking and walking projects were submitted to Caltrans for
funding, both digitally and via hard copy, ensuring no applications were
missed. Photo courtesy of Caltrans
SACRAMENTO – Caltrans is in the process of
reviewing hundreds of applications due to an overwhelming response to its call
for applications for projects that promote biking and walking. The 770
applications – more than half benefiting disadvantaged communities – have been
received from cities and counties throughout California, totaling nearly $1
billion in project requests. All are vying for a share of $360 million in
federal and state funding from the state’s Active Transportation Program, an
excess in demand of 3 to 1.
“We are thrilled to see such a tremendous interest
in promoting alternative and active forms of transportation throughout
California,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. “This overwhelming
response indicates that more local governments recognize that these projects
are a good investment and will enhance the mobility, safety and health of their
communities.”
The program will receive a total of $360 million,
representing three year’s worth of funding. Fifty percent of that total funding
($180 million) will be awarded via Caltrans to anywhere in the state, and
another 10 percent of the total ($36 million) is designated specifically for
small urban and rural areas. Projects in large Metropolitan Planning Organization
(MPO) areas (populations over 200,000) that are not awarded funding from
Caltrans will still be able to compete for 40 percent of total program funding
($144 million) to be awarded through those MPOs.
Complete information on the program can be found on
Caltrans’ website. The California Transportation
Commission (CTC), Caltrans and external evaluators will review the projects
based on adopted guidelines and selection criteria, and the CTC will select
projects to receive funding at their August 20th meeting.
Applications not selected can still potentially compete for funding allocated
to the large MPOs.
Eight teams are overseeing the initial review
process. Each team consists of five Caltrans employees and six outside experts
(representing cities, counties, local transportation agencies, MPOs, nonprofits
and transportation advocacy groups). Each application requires one to two hours
to review and will be reviewed by two teams. Local Caltrans offices will also
be evaluating proposed projects within their districts and providing
recommendations based on project feasibility and proper time and budget
estimates.
Last year, Governor Brown signed legislation (Senate Bill 99, Chapter 359 and Assembly Bill 101, Chapter 354) creating the ATP,
which distributes funding for human-powered transportation projects and
programs. The program replaces a patchwork of small grant programs with a
comprehensive program that is more efficient. Another benefit is that funds can
be directed to multi-year projects to make greater long-term improvements to
active transportation.
Caltrans’ California Household Travel Survey – the
largest and most complex review of its kind – underscored the need for active
transportation when it revealed that the percentage of trips taken by
California households that involve walking, biking, or using public
transportation has more than doubled since 2000.
Each year, Caltrans prepares an annual
report summarizing programs it has undertaken for the development of
non-motorized transportation facilities. For more information on active
transportation in California see the 2011-12 Caltrans Report.