Surface Transportation Program

The RPA currently receives an annual allocation of approximately $2,371,000 in federal transportation funding through the Surface Transportation Program (STP).  These funds are distributed within the RPA through a annual grant program managed by the Area 15 Regional Planning Commission.  The annual deadline for applications is the beginning of January each year.

Eligible activities for STP funding include work on new or existing roadways, bridges, public transit capital investments, and transportation planning.  Roadways must have a federal functional classification of “major collector” or higher to be eligible.  Bridges must be on a roadway with an appropriate federal functional classification.  Through the STP program, up to 80% of the project’s costs are eligible for reimbursement.

The RPA has an application system where projects are submitted to the Area 15 Regional Planning Commission for a review of eligibility.  Eligible projects are then reviewed by the TAC, which makes a recommendation to the Policy Board on to whether to fund a project and the funding level.  The Policy Board reviews the TAC’s recommendation and holds a public hearing before making its decision on a project.  Projects approved by the Policy Board are included in the region’s Transportation Improvement Program, which becomes part of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program.