Every two years the Oregon Transportation Commission establishes funding levels for various programs within the broader Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, or STIP. Beginning with the 2015-2018 STIP cycle, a different process is being used.

Previously, the OTC set funding levels and selected projects for each program individually. The new process focuses on identifying the best projects, regardless of category, and then uses available federal and state funds creatively and flexibly to deliver those projects. This change is in response to direction from the Governor and the OTC to integrate programs and funding sources strategically and become a truly multi-modal transportation agency that delivers sustainable transportation solutions addressing a variety of state and community needs and objectives.

In the Lane County area, 21 eligible applications were submitted by the Nov. 27, 2012, deadline. The applications reflected a broad range of project types. Over several months (from December 2012 to February 2013), the LaneACT membership reviewed and discussed the applications, with the goal of identifying approximately $30 million of projects to move forward to the next step in the project selection process. At its February meeting, the LaneACT membership reached consensus on a project list.

The projects will now be scoped by ODOT, and then reviewed with other Area Commissions on Transportation located in ODOT Region 2 to develop a set of projects to recommend to the OTC for funding. Region 2 comprises Lane, Linn, Benton, Lincoln, Polk, Marion, Yamhill, Tillamook, Clatsop, Columbia and western Washington counties. The timeline for the next steps in this process is included in this document.

Please see ODOT’s website on the 2015-2018 STIP development process for more information.