Federal funds are coming to local bicycle projects

The Metropolitan Traffic Commission (MTC) will be distributing Federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds, to be used in part to conduct Bay Area bicycle infrastructure projects that are on the Regional Bicycle Network (RBN). Funding will be available for projects in both Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.

In San Mateo County, funding will be distributed to the county, cities, and transit operators through the City/County Association of Governments (C/CAG). For fiscal years 2010/2011 and 2011/2072, approximately $1,969,440 will be available on a competitive basis. Projects must include a minimum budget of $500,000 and a maximum of $1 million. $1,669,440 of the total funding must be awarded to projects that are either part of the Unbuilt Regional Bikeway Network Links or meet the RBN criteria as established by MTC.

In the MTC First Cycle Funding project list, Santa Clara County is slated to receive $6,462,000 for a 36 month planning cycle. The Valley Transit Authority is planning to put out a call for projects on March 15. Start contacting your city soon to share your ideas for this funding.

These are terrific opportunities for our cities, counties, and transit agencies to expand bicycle facilities on a regional scale. Let your city know that you value this opportunity by attending your local BPAC meeting and contacting the person in charge of bicycle planning on your city’s staff. Share your ideas with us in the comments, and contact SVBC directly if there’s a project you think we should be involved in.

To see the MTC Regional Bicycle Plan funding data, visit http://www.mtc.ca.gov/planning/bicyclespedestrians/MTC_Regional_Bicycle_...

For details on the C/CAG request for proposals, see the attached memo.