The purpose of the SRTS Infrastructure Program is to allow ODOT to distribute funds deposited into the SRTS fund in accordance with OAR 737-025. These funds are intended to build infrastructure projects that address the needs of students that walk and bicycle to school considering the unique perspectives and behavior of children. The fund receives $10 million state highway dollars annually increasing to $15 million annually in 2023. The funds are divided into three different programs with different eligibility, application guidelines, and timelines:
Competitive Grant Program
The majority of the funds, 87.5 percent or greater, are used for a Competitive Grant Program to build street safety projects to reduce barriers and hazards for children walking or bicycling to or from schools.
Rapid Response Grant Program
Up to 10 percent of funds are used for urgent needs or systemic safety issues that occur in between Competitive Program Grant cycles.
Project Identification Grant Program
Up to 2.5 percent of funds are used by ODOT to help communities identify projects to reduce barriers and hazards for children walking or bicycling to and from school and that will lead to eventual construction.
Details about the current funding cycle can be found on the Grant Program pages linked above. In January of odd years, ODOT will announce the application process and timeline for the upcoming cycles. In addition ODOT will announce program application cycles as they open.