BEFORE PURCHASING ANY REAL PROPERTY PLEASE REVIEW THE NEW GUIDELINES SET FORTH. FAILURE TO FOLLOW NEW RULES MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF FUNDING.
Funding Opportunities Timelines
In response to feedback, ODOT is adjusting how we schedule our biennial funding call for projects. It’s our goal to serve transit providers better and we hope that an updated funding cycle will simplify the application process, improve reliability of funds, and improve efficiency and accountability. As a result, the start date to federal grant periods will begin in October (not July) to align with funding availability while state grant periods will remain July.
Milestone
| Consolidated Competitive
Grant Program
2027-28
| Federal Formula
2027-29 | STIF Formula Plans
2027-29 | Consolidated Competitive
Grant Program
2028-30 |
Notice of funding opportunity posted
| February 2026 | March 2026
| August 2026
| November 2026
|
Call for projects opens
| February 2026
| March 2026
| August 2026
| November 2026
|
Initial applications or STIF Plans due
| April 2026
| April 2026
| October 2026
(optional)
| December 2026
|
Final applications or STIF Plans due
| May 2026
| June 2026 | January 2027
| February 2027
|
Grant period begins
| Winter/Spring 2027 (STIF Discretionary)
July (STIF Intercommunity)
October 2027 (Federal)
| October 2027
| July 2027
| July 2028 (STIF)
October 2028 (Federal)
|
The following funding opportunities support the delivery of public transportation in Oregon and are managed by the Oregon Department of Transportation. These funding opportunities use dedicated funding that ODOT cannot use for maintenance or agency operations.
Active Funding Opportunities
- Purpose
Bridges gaps and resolves barriers between Oregon's veterans living in rural areas and the healthcare benefits they've earned.
This program uses lottery funds from the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs dedicated by the Oregon
Legislature. ODOT cannot use these funds for maintenance or agency operations.
- Timeline
Letter of Interest form closed on Nov. 10, 2025. The full application will open in late 2025 or early 2026, dates to be determined.
- Funding
Total amount available: up to $1.1 million
- Match Requirements
There is no local match required for this program. Coordinated applications between STIF Agencies or through purchased services contracts with common providers is encouraged.
- Eligible Recipients
Transit providers and Counties with service areas featuring rural census tracts (as defined by Rural-Urban Commuter codes 4 through 10). All nine of Oregon's federally-recognized Tribes are eligible, irrespective of rurality.
- Eligible Projects
Operations, contract purchased services, mobility management, and planning.
Letters of Interest were due Monday, November 10, 2025 and 11:59 PM Pacific Time. The full application will open in late 2025 or early 2026.
- Application
- For More Information
- Additional Resources
The Rural Veterans Healthcare Transportation Grant Program is a partnership between Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs and ODOT Public Transportation Division, under lottery funding appropriated to House Bill 2139.
- Award Announcement
- Purpose
This federal fund provides assistance to employees and volunteers of grant recipients and others to attend transit-related trainings. Training is provided directly by Public Transportation Division staff or at state, regional, and national workshops and conferences.
- Timeline
Applications accepted year-round.
- Funding
Funds are distributed through competitive and formula processes based on criteria developed by the Public Transportation Division. The number of scholarships awarded for a specific event or to an agency may be limited. The Public Transportation Division reimburses qualified expenses to the agency (not the individual).
Funding is provided through state funding sources and the Federal Transit Administration’s Rural Transit Assistance Program (5311(b)(3)). ODOT cannot use this funding for maintenance or agency operations.
- Match Requirements
Scholarships generally support 50 to 80 percent of registration and travel expenses for a training or conference.
- Eligible Recipients
Employees and volunteers of grant recipients and transportation service providers are eligible. Training scholarships are primarily for staff at rural transit agencies and are required to be submitted at least 60 days prior to the training in question for approval with receipts submitted within 30 days of the event to qualify for reimbursement.
- Eligible Projects
Attendance at the annual Oregon Public Transportation Conference, grant-related trainings (such as trainings prior to a grant application cycle), transit manager topic trainings, grant management trainings, compliance trainings, training provided by other state agencies or other sources.
- Application
-
- For More Information
-
- Additional Resources
- Award Announcement
Accepted applicants notified by email.
Inactive Funding Opportunities
- Purpose
This grant is available to fund a project that provides intercity bus service to the public on the I-84 corridor at a minimum between The Dalles and Boise, Idaho. The service may extend from Boise as far west as Portland.
- Timeline
- May 8 - Notice of Funding Opportunity posted.
- May 14 - Call for Projects opens and application is available.
- May 20 - Application info session webinar at 9:00 a.m.
- May 27 - Drop-in online Q&A session at 1:00 p.m.
- May 29 - Call for Projects closes and applications due by 5:00 p.m.
- June - Award decision made.
- June/July - Award announced.
- Funding
ODOT will provide up to $600,000 in grant funding for one year of service. The grant will be funded by state or federal transit funds.
This project will be funded with Statewide Transportation Improvement funds (STIF) or Federal Transit Administration Section 5311(f) Intercity Bus (5311(f)) funds. Federal Circular FTA C 9040.1H contains guidance on the requirements to receive 5311(f) funds. Guidance for STIF funds can be found in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund and Statewide Transit Network Program Guidebook.
- Match Requirements
Whether STIF or 5311(f) funds are awarded, the total funding available is up to $600,000. The funding source will be determined as part of the award process, and the awardee will be responsible for the local match.
- If awarded STIF funds, the match ratio is 80% state/20% local funds.
- If awarded 5311(f) funding, the match ratio for operations is 50% federal/50% local funds, and for capital and project administration activities it is 80% federal/20% local funds.
- In kind match can be used for both funding sources.
- Eligible Recipients
The following types of organizations are eligible to receive this grant—mass transit districts, transportation districts, federally recognized tribes, or a city, county, special district, intergovernmental entity, or any other political subdivision or municipal or public corporation that provides public transportation service, as well as nonprofit organizations and private for-profit entities that provide public transportation services.
- Eligible Projects
To be eligible for funding, projects must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Provide fixed route intercity bus service with the eastern terminus of Boise, Idaho and the western terminus at a minimum be The Dalles but may at the applicant’s discretion extend as far west as Portland.
- In Oregon, the service must provide meaningful connections to existing intercity bus service in Ontario, Baker City, La Grande, and Pendleton with an additional stop in Boardman, Stanfield, or Hermiston. The applicant may include additional stops on their proposed route.
- Service must be provided for a minimum of one year.
- Service must operate daily throughout the year seven days per week with at least one round trip per day. Applicants may propose not providing service on a limited number of low-travel holidays.
- Vehicles must have the ability to transport baggage.
- Vehicles must be readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, including individuals who use wheelchairs. Vehicles must be compliant with both 49 CFR 38.23 and subpart G of Part 38. Intercity bus service operated by private entities using over-the-road buses, characterized by an elevated passenger deck over a baggage compartment, is subject to the DOT’s ADA over-the-road bus regulations, at 49 CFR Part 37 subpart H (49 CFR 37.181 et seq.).
- The service provider must be eligible to transport passengers across state lines in compliance with FMCSA regulations.
- General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) data for this service must be maintained and publicly available.
Eligible project activities
Eligible project activities include project administration, planning, capital expenses, and operating expenses directly related to operating this route.
- Application
- For More Information
The Public Transportation Division will host a webinar 9:00 – 10:00 a.m., May 20 to offer an overview of this call for projects, highlight key components of the application and answer questions. Additionally, a drop-in question and answer session will be held from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., May 27.
Application info session webinar at 9:00 a.m., May 20.
Drop-in Q&A session at 1:00 p.m., May 27.
- Additional Resources
- Award Announcement
- Purpose
This federal fund source supports public transportation for seniors and individuals with disabilities by funding eligible capital, purchased service, and preventive maintenance projects for transportation providers.
- Timeline
Application deadline has passed.
- Funding
Funds are awarded every two years using an established formula. Lead Agencies recommend projects for funding.
Funding comes from the Federal Transit Administration’s Section 5310 program, which is distributed to states using a population-based formula in an amount set by Congress. Funding also comes from ODOT’s transfer of Federal Highway Administration Surface Transportation Block Grant funds to the Section 5310 program.
- Match Requirements
Rural Agencies
All projects: local share 10.27 percent, federal share 89.73 percent
Small Urban Agencies
All projects: local share 20 percent, federal share 80 percent
- Eligible Recipients
Eligible recipients are counties, mass transit districts, transportation districts, transportation service districts, Indian tribal governments, cities, councils of government, and private nonprofit organizations. Funds may be used in all areas of the state.
Private for-profit companies are not eligible for this program and may only participate as vendors with service contracts or agreements with eligible recipients.
- Eligible Projects
Eligible projects include vehicle purchases, passenger shelters, purchased services, preventive maintenance, travel training, marketing programs, development of centralized call centers, and equipment that supports transportation to meet the special needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities.
Projects must be derived from a local Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan.
- Application
- For More Information
- Additional Resources
- Award Announcement
- Purpose
This program supports rural public transportation providers operating in areas with populations of fewer than 50,000 by financing operations, capital, project administration, preventive maintenance, planning, and mobility management projects.
- Timeline
Application deadline has passed.
- Funding
The majority of funds are distributed every two years to pre-qualified agencies through a three-part formula which includes a base amount, passenger trips, and service miles.
Funding comes from the Federal Transit Administration 5311 program.
- Match Requirements
Operations projects: local share 43.92 percent, federal share 56.08 percent
Capital, administration, preventive maintenance, planning, and mobility management projects: local share 10.27 percent, federal share 89.73 percent.
- Eligible Recipients
Eligible recipients include public agencies, Indian tribes, or private nonprofit agencies operating general public transit services in rural areas that are not part of a designated urban area.
Private for-profit companies are not eligible for this program and may only participate as vendors with service contracts or agreements with an eligible recipient. Recipients are encouraged to consider including private for-profit transportation providers in their programs.
- Eligible Projects
Eligible projects include operations, capital, project administration, preventive maintenance, planning, and mobility management. Projects must support general public transportation services.
- Application
- For More Information
- Additional Resources
- Award Announcement
- Purpose
This solicitation is for two separate competitive statewide solicitations; the STIF Discretionary Fund and the Statewide Transit Network Program. Review the STIF Discretionary and Statewide Network Program Guidance and Grant Application Instructions document in the Application section.
- Timeline
Application deadline has passed.
- Funding
Section 122 of House Bill 2017 provides statewide funding for public transportation service. Proceeds from the payroll tax will be deposited into the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund. The Oregon Department of Revenue began assessing the tax July 1, 2018. ODOT is administering the STIF Discretionary Fund program with five percent of these revenues and the STN Program through a combination of four percent of STIF revenues and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5311(f) moneys. The Oregon Transportation Commission will decide which projects to award funding.
- Match Requirements
The match requirements for projects awarded through this solicitation will vary based on the project type and program funds used to fund the project. STIF Discretionary and Statewide Transportation Network-STIF Intercommunity Fund applicants must demonstrate their ability to provide at least 20 percent of the Project’s total costs. Projects that meet certain characteristics may be eligible for a 10 percent match rate.
For projects receiving Section 5311(f) funds, applicants must demonstrate their ability to provide a 50 percent match of the net cost for operations projects and a 20 percent match of the net cost for capital projects and project administration.
- Eligible Recipients
Applicants to these fund programs must be Public Transportation Service Providers, as defined by OAR 732-040-0005(24) or, as relevant to FTA 5311(f) funding, entities eligible to receive FTA Section 5311(f) funding. Eligible STIF Discretionary Fund applicants may contract with a non-profit or for-profit public transportation provider following procurement requirements applicable to the source(s) of project funding.
- Eligible Projects
Projects eligible for funding under the STIF Discretionary fund include but are not limited to capital projects such as vehicles, facilities, equipment, and technology; and management, planning, and research.
Projects eligible to receive grants under the STIF Intercommunity Fund or FTA Section 5311(f) Intercity Fund include, but are not limited to, capital projects such as vehicles, facilities, equipment and technology, as well as mobility management, planning, research, pilot and ongoing operations projects that support intercommunity and intercity bus services.
STIF funding is not available for light rail capital expenses.
- Application
- For More Information
- Additional Resources
- Award Announcement
- Purpose
This solicitation is for the STIF Formula Fund, which is intended to expand, improve, and maintain public transportation services in Oregon.
- Timeline
Application deadline has passed.
- Funding
At its inception, the STIF program was funded solely by the Oregon "transit tax," which is a state payroll tax equal to one-tenth of 1 percent. The STIF program is also funded by ID card fees, non-highway gas tax, and cigarette tax revenues now that it has been consolidated with the Special Transportation Fund (STF) is effective July 1, 2023. The total funding amount will be estimated annually, and actual revenues will vary based on transit tax collections.
- Match Requirements
There are no match requirements for STIF Formula funds.
- Eligible Recipients
Only a Qualified Entity may submit a STIF Plan. A Qualified Entity is a county in which no part of a Mass Transit District or Transportation District exists, a Mass Transit District, a Transportation District or an Indian Tribe, per OAR 732-040-0005. A Public Transportation Service Provider or any non-profit, private for-profit, or public entity is eligible to receive STIF Formula funds through a qualified entity as a sub-recipient under the Qualified Entity's STIF Plan.
A map of Qualified Entities is located in the STIF Rulemaking Document Library on the STIF webpage.
- Eligible Projects
STIF funding may be used to finance investments and improvements in public transportation services, except for light rail capital expenses. STIF may be used for public transportation purposes that support the effective planning, deployment, operation, and administration of public transportation programs.
STIF moneys are not intended to supplant local funding sources to maintain existing services. A STIF Plan that proposes to use STIF funding to replace local funding to maintain an existing service may result in denial of the funding request.
- Application
- For More Information
More information will be available prior to the beginning of the solicitation of August 27, 2024.
- Additional Resources
-
- Award Announcement
- Purpose
This program funds the replacement and purchase of buses, bus equipment, and bus-related facilities for transportation providers in small urban and rural areas with population of 199,999 or less.
- Timeline
Application deadline has passed.
Grant agreements executed once Federal funds are secured.
Pending FTA approval, the grant period will be October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2028.
- Funding
Funding is provided by FTA's 5339 Bus and Bus Facilities Program which is distributed to states in an amount set by Congress. Distribution to local agencies is done through an ODOT discretionary selection process.
- Match Requirements
Vehicles: local share 15 percent, federal share 85 percent
Vehicle-related equipment and facilities that comply with Clean Air Act or Americans with Disabilities Act: local share 10%, federal share 90%
Bicycle facilities: local share 10%, federal share 90%
All others: local share 20 percent, federal share 80 percent
- Eligible Recipients
Eligible recipients are general public service providers who operate in small urban and rural communities with a population of 199,999 or less.
- Eligible Projects
Eligible projects for the 2024 solicitation include replacing, rebuilding, or purchasing buses and related equipment as well as construction of bus-related facilities. For vehicle replacement or right-sizing, the vehicle to be replaced or right-sized must meet or exceed the age or mileage standard for the vehicle type at the time of procurement. Eligible projects include:
- Acquisition of buses for fleet and service expansion
- Bus maintenance and administrative facilities
- Transfer facilities
- Bus malls
- Transportation centers
- Intermodal terminals
- Park-and-ride stations
- Acquisition of replacement vehicles
- Bus rebuilds
- Passenger amenities such as passenger shelters and bus stop signs
- Accessory and miscellaneous equipment such as: mobile radio units, supervisory vehicles, fare boxes, computers, and shop and garage equipment
- Clean fuels projects
- Introduction of new technology: transit-related technology, such as innovative and improved products that provide benefits to transit, including Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
- Bicycle facilities
- Joint development improvements
- Application
- For More Information
- Additional Resources
- Award Announcement
- Purpose
This solicitation supports projects for operations, mobility management, purchased service, and preventive maintenance for transportation providers serving seniors and individuals with disabilities in rural areas.
- Timeline
Application deadline has passed.
Grant agreements executed once Federal funds are secured.
- Funding
- Funding comes from the Federal Transit Administration's 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities program which is distributed to states using a population-based formula in an amount set by Congress. Distribution to local agencies is done through an ODOT discretionary selection process.
- Match Requirements
Operating projects: local share 50 percent, federal share 50 percent
Other projects: local share 20 percent, federal share 80 percent
- Eligible Recipients
Public transportation agencies providing rural services.
- Eligible Projects
Operations, mobility management, purchased service, and preventive maintenance.
- Application
- For More Information
- Additional Resources
- Award Announcement
- Purpose
The purpose of Section 5304 grant funding is to support planning projects that lead to improved mobility and transit access for citizens, more livable and economically vibrant communities, and more efficient and well-coordinated public transportation systems.
- Timeline
Application deadline has passed.
Pending FTA approval, the grant period for planning projects will be October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2026.
- Funding
Expected: $300,000. Final amount may vary. Funds are awarded through a competitive selection process.
- Match Requirements
Local share is 20 percent, federal share is 80 percent
- Eligible Recipients
Transportation agencies that serve rural areas (population less than 50,000).
- Eligible Projects
- Transit needs assessments
- Short-range transit development plans
- System design plans
- Civil rights plans
- Transit marketing plans
- Site selection studies
- Transit service implementation plans
- Ridership surveys
- Service coordination plans
- Environmental impact analyses
- Asset management plans
- Application
- For More Information
- Additional Resources
- Award Announcement
- Purpose
The main purpose of the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Low or No Emission Program (Low-No Program) is to support the transition of the nation’s transit fleet to the lowest polluting and most energy efficient transit vehicles. The Low-No Program provides funding to state and local governmental authorities for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses. This also includes acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities.
- Timeline
Application Deadline has passed
- Funding
Funding comes from the FTA's 5339 Program with available funds of $1.10 billion in federal fiscal year 2023.
Project Budget: Applicants are encouraged to identify scaled funding options in case insufficient funding is available to fund a project at the full requested amount. If an applicant indicates that a project is scalable, the applicant must provide an appropriate minimum funding amount that will fund an eligible project that achieves the objectives of the program and meets all relevant program requirements. The applicant must provide a clear explanation of how the project budget would be affected by a reduced award. FTA may award a lesser amount whether or not a scalable option is provided.
- Match Requirements
For vehicles, the match is 15 percent local funds. For Bus-related Equipment and Facilities (such as recharging or refueling facilities), the match is 10 percent local funds.
Acceptable match sources are: cash from non-government sources other than revenues from providing public transportation services; revenues derived from the sale of advertising and concessions; amounts received under a service agreement with a state or local social service agency or private social service organization; revenues generated from value capture financing mechanisms; funds from an undistributed cash surplus; replacement or depreciation cash fund or reserve; new capital; or in-kind contributions. In addition, transportation development credits or documentation of in-kind match may substitute for local match if identified in the application.
- Eligible Recipients
An eligible applicant is a designated recipient of FTA 5307 grants as well as states, local governmental authorities, and Indian tribes. ODOT will be applying on behalf of subrecipients who are not 5307 direct recipients.
- Eligible Projects
Purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses, and acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities.
FTA will consider the quality and extent to which applications demonstrate how the proposed project will: reduce energy consumption, reduce harmful emissions and reduce direct carbon emissions. Applicants must demonstrate how the proposed project is consistent with local and regional long range planning documents and local government priorities. Applicants must identify the source of the local cost share and describe whether such funds are currently available for the project or will need to be secured if the project is selected for funding.
Applications will be evaluated based on the quality and extent to which they demonstrate how the proposed project will address an unmet need for capital investment in vehicles and/or supporting facilities. For example: an applicant may demonstrate that it requires additional charging facilities for low- or no-emission vehicles, that it intends to replace existing vehicles that have exceeded their minimum useful life, or that it requires additional vehicles to meet current ridership demands.
- Application
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- For More Information
- Additional Resources
- Award Announcement
- Purpose
The purpose of the Bus and Bus Infrastructure Program is to assist in the financing of buses and bus facilities capital projects, including replacing, rehabilitating, purchasing or leasing buses or related equipment, and rehabilitating, purchasing, constructing or leasing bus-related facilities.
- Timeline
Application deadline has passed.
- Funding
Funding comes from the FTA's 5339(b) Program with available funds of more than $390 million for this solicitation.
Scalable Project Budget: Applicants are encouraged to identify scaled funding options in case insufficient funding is available to fund a project at the full requested amount. If an applicant indicates that a project is scalable, the applicant must provide an appropriate minimum funding amount that will fund an eligible project that achieves the objectives of the program and meets all relevant program requirements. The applicant must provide a clear explanation of how the project budget would be affected by a reduced award. FTA may award a lesser amount whether or not a scalable option is provided.
- Match Requirements
For Vehicles, the match is 15 percent local funds. For Bus-related Equipment and Facilities (such as recharging or refueling facilities, including clean fuel or alternative-fuel vehicle-related equipment), the match is 10 percent local funds.
Eligible sources of local match include the following:
- cash from non-Government sources other than revenues from providing public transportation services;
- revenues derived from the sale of advertising and concessions;
- amounts received under a service agreement with a State or local social service agency or private social service organization;
- revenues generated from value capture financing mechanisms;
or funds from an undistributed cash surplus;
-
replacement or depreciation cash fund or reserve;
-
In addition, transportation development credits or documentation of in-kind match may substitute for local match if identified in the application.
- Eligible Recipients
Eligible applicants include designated recipients that allocate funds to fixed route bus operators, states or local governmental entities that operate fixed route bus service, and Indian tribes. Eligible subrecipients include all otherwise eligible applicants and private nonprofit organizations engaged in public transportation.
Oregon RPTD will submit a statewide application on behalf of public agencies, private nonprofit organizations engaged in public transportation in rural areas, and projects proposed by Indian tribes; all proposals for projects in rural (non-urbanized) areas must be submitted by a State.
- Eligible Projects
Eligible projects are capital projects to replace, rehabilitate, purchase, or lease buses, vans, and related equipment, and capital projects to rehabilitate, purchase, construct, or lease bus-related facilities.
Applications will be evaluated based on the quality and extent to which they demonstrate how the proposed project addresses:
- Demonstration of Need; an unmet need for capital investment in bus vehicles and/or supporting facilities.
- Demonstration of Benefits; how will the project improve the condition of the transit system, improve the reliability of transit service for its riders, and enhance access and mobility within the service area.
- Planning and Local/Regional Prioritization; how the proposed project will be consistent with local and regional long-range planning documents and local government priorities; including long-range transportation plans.
- Local Financial Commitment; identify the source of the local cost share and describe whether such funds are currently available for the project or will need to be secured if the project is selected for funding.
- Project Implementation Strategy; project ready to implement within a reasonable period of time and whether the applicant’s proposed implementation plans are reasonable and complete.
- Technical, Legal and Financial Capacity: applicants must demonstrate that they have the technical, legal and financial capacity to undertake the project.
- Bus facility and equipment projects (replacement, rehabilitation, and/or expansion): provide the age and condition of the asset to be rehabilitated or replaced and its minimum useful life.
- Bus projects (replacement, rehabilitation or expansion): provide the age, condition and performance of the asset(s) to be replaced or rehabilitated.
- Service expansion: provide the proposed service expansion and the benefits for transit riders and the community from the new service.
- Application
- For More Information
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- Additional Resources
- Award Announcement
- Purpose
The purpose of this program is to fund the replacement or right-sizing of vehicles that have met or exceeded their useful life standards.
- Timeline
Application deadline has passed.
Grant agreements executed once Federal funds are secured.
- Funding
The Oregon Transportation Commission has allocated Federal Highway Administration Surface Transportation Block Grant funding to support this program. Funds will be transferred to FTA section 5307, 5310, or 5311 programs after award based on recipient eligibility.
Total funding available: $9 million
- $4 million for Section 5307
- $5 million for Section 5310 and 5311 projects, and pending funding availability, Section 5307 projects
- Match Requirements
Local share 10.27 percent, federal share 89.73 percent
- Eligible Recipients
Entities eligible to receive Federal Transit Administration section 5307, 5310, or 5311 funding.
- Eligible Projects
Vehicle replacement or right-sizing of vehicles in which ODOT holds a security interest.
- Application
- For More Information
- Additional Resources
- Award Announcement