Great Streets Program

What is the Great Streets Program?

Great Streets is a funding program that address safety improvements and increases access to walking, biking, and transit. It focuses on “main streets" in communities around the state. We're launching this program with $50 million of flexible federal transportation funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Initial investments will be limited to highway corridors that the state owns and manages. This first round of funding will serve as a proof-of-concept so we can learn more in developing future versions of the program.

How will projects be selected?

ODOT's regional staff will submit project proposals in coordination with local communities and transportation agencies. The primary objective of proposed projects must be to improve safety and multimodal access on state highway corridors that also act as community main streets. Project selection will focus on fewer and more impactful projects. Things like facility planning, design development, and construction projects are eligible for funding. Regions are encouraged to submit projects in larger urban areas as well as smaller communities.

Phase 1 – Determine Program Eligibility

• Does the project satisfy the primary objective of the Great Streets Program – to improve safety and multimodal access on a state highway corridor that also acts as a community main street?
  
• Is the project part of an adopted plan?

Phase 2 – Project Evaluation

A Project Review Team will evaluate eligible projects in six outcome areas on a 200-point scale.

• Safety (50 pts) – What are the safety risk factors for roadway users – high speeds, vehicle volumes, distance to cross the street – that will be improved? Does this road have a history of fatal and severe injury crashes involving people walking, biking, or taking transit?
• Multimodal Accessibility (50 pts) – Does the project expand access to public transportation and to the local active transportation network?
• Equity (25 pts) – How does this project reduce barriers for historically excluded communities?
• Climate Mitigation (25 pts) – How does this project directly and indirectly mitigate greenhouse gas emissions?
• Local Support and Engagement (20 pts) – What has the engagement process been to-date, and what is the planned level of community engagement through project completion? Does the local community support the project?
• Leverage Opportunities (10 pts) – Can this project be combined with another federally-funded project? What level of funding support is the local agency providing?
  
• Project Readiness (10 pts) – What is the project certainty from a cost and risk perspective?
• State of Good Repair Status (10 pts) – What improvements are needed to existing corridor infrastructure, and will those assets be upgraded as part of this project?
  

Phase 3 – Proof-of-Concept Evaluation

The final project list will be those that provide the most insight into the needs for building a future corridor scale investment program based on a data-driven approach. The Project Review Team recommends the final project list for approval by the Oregon Transportation Commission for adoption into the 2024-2027 STIP.

What outcomes do we hope to accomplish?

Our investment decisions need to optimize outcomes in the areas of climate and social equity. Project applications should clearly identify direct and indirect climate and social equity impacts of a project through quantitative and qualitative measures. In addition, the Governor's Executive Order on Climate (20-04) requires that greenhouse gas emissions must be considered as part of project selection.

As a proof-of-concept, the initial investment in the Great Streets program will study opportunities and barriers to a comprehensive funding program for the state highways that serve as both arterials and main streets through communities. Project selection will ultimately be the first step in understanding gaps to success for a larger comprehensive program in the future.

Outcomes, or goals for the program, will focus on main streets and urban arterials and projects that improve walking, bicycling, and transit access. Projects must also demonstrate ODOT's vision for modern transportation facilities through these areas. Great streets is a comprehensive corridor investment program focused on investments that are broader than current program categories. The Project Review Team will evaluate and select fewer projects with greater impact for communities.

Here are examples of improvements that might be funded:

How can I provide feedback or learn more about the Great Streets Program?

You are encouraged to contact the Great Streets Program Manager, Robin Wilcox, or sign up for updates on the Great Streets Program email list.