Projects Overview

RTC is a forum for local public agencies to discuss transportation infrastructure and services to support the region’s goals for a balanced, safe, efficient, and affordable regional transportation system. While RTC does not directly construct or operate transportation facilities, it does plan, prioritize, and program federal transportation funds to improve regional mobility. RTC selects projects for the regional allocation of federal highway funds. These funds are utilized by local agencies to implement transportation improvements that support the Regional Transportation Plan. 

Regionally selected projects can address a wide range of transportation needs including road widening, transit enhancement, signal coordination, bike and pedestrian facilities, and other transportation needs. RTC employs regional screening and selection criteria to prioritize and select projects for funding. Projects are evaluated based on their individual merits and their impact on the regional transportation system. Funds are awarded to local agencies based on project prioritization. Projects are then programmed in the Transportation Improvement Program and implemented by local agencies.

Federal programs for grant awards included the urban Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG), Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ), urban Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) and Transportation Alternatives (TA). Agencies within the Clark County MPO area are eligible for funding through the STBG, CMAQ, CRP and TA programs. Agencies within the RTPO area (Clark, Klickitat, and Skamania counties) are eligible for funding through the TA program. 

The Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) program is the most flexible of all the Federal Highway Administration programs and can be used for a wide range of transportation improvements, including auto, transit, bicycle, pedestrian, and planning projects. STBG funds are allocated to RTC for the region based on population, with varying amounts being allocated to U.S. Census-defined urban and rural areas. The amount varies based on annual apportionments, but RTC generally receives over $7 million per year. The call for urban STBG projects usually occurs each year, while the call for rural STBG projects generally occurs on the even years (2026, 2028, etc.). 

The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program is used for projects and programs that improve air quality and reduce congestion. CMAQ projects must demonstrate an air quality improvement within the Vancouver Air Quality Maintenance Area. The CMAQ funds are allocated to RTC within Clark County for air quality improvements within the designated Vancouver Air Quality Maintenance area. The amount varies based on annual apportionments, but RTC generally receives over $3 million per year. Annually $300,000 in CMAQ funds are flexed under the TA program for eligible projects. The call for CMAQ projects typically runs concurrently with the STBG call for projects.

The Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) is used for projects that reduce transportation emissions. All CRP projects must be consistent with the State-developed Carbon Reduction Strategy. The CRP funds are allocated to RTC for the Clark County region based on population, with varying amounts being allocated to U.S. Census-defined urban and rural areas. The amount varies based on annual apportionments, but RTC receives less than $1 million per year. Most of the urban CRP funds will be incorporated into the STBG/CMAQ call for projects, utilizing the STBG/CMAQ criteria. The rural CRP funds are incorporated into the TA call, along with $162,000 in CRP-urban funds, for the TA call for projects.

The Transportation Alternatives (TA) program is used for community improvements such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, viewing areas, and safe routes to schools. The TA funds are allocated to RTC for the Clark, Skamania, and Klickitat counties region based on population, with varying amounts being allocated to U.S. Census-defined urban and rural areas. The amount varies based on annual apportionments, but RTC generally receives approximately $1 million per year. Funding from the CMAQ program and CRP program are flexed to the TA program, bringing the total funding availability to around $1.6 million annually. The call for TA projects runs concurrently with the STBG call for projects and will utilize its own separate grant application and evaluation criteria.