Regional planners took steps Wednesday to make sure projects throughout the region will be lined up for federal money the region will receive in 2014.
“We don’t want to send any money back to Washington,” said Patsy Christie, chairwoman of the Technical Advisory Committee of Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission. “We know there are projects here we can spend that money on.”
To that end, planners approved policy and application criteria for projects in Benton and Washington counties that cities, the counties and transportation and planning organizations see as priorities. The various money discussed Wednesday is earmarked for specific uses and will come from several pots.
The region is expected to get about $6.6 million from the federal Surface Transportation Program for fiscal 2014. That money is earmarked for projects of regional significance, which is defined as improvement to major routes such as north/south and east/west corridors, frontage roads that improve access, reduce crash rates and/or relieve congestion on north/south routes.
Minimum project size was set at $125,000 for engineering and design and $125,000 for construction. Exceptions can be made to the minimums, if needed, to ensure money is obligated for projects and isn't lost.
“When we have a project, we’ve got to make sure we can get it obligated,” said Tim Conklin, transportation programs planner at the commission.
The region also is expected to receive $4.8 million for public transit in 2014 to be shared by Ozark Regional Transit and Razorback Transit. Planners approved an amendment to put the money in the Transportation Improvement Program so it can be used to buy buses, facilities and security programs. The transit providers will provide match money.
Another pot of money comes from the Transportation Alternatives Program. Northwest Arkansas is expected to receive about $451,000 in 2014 to develop a more comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian trail network and expand the heritage trail system in the region.
The goals are to link the regional trail system with the master trail plans of the various cities and include strategic spurs to connect employment centers, schools, retail shopping, recreational sites, parks, historic sites and museums to the main trail system. Minimum project size was set at $125,000. The money requires a local 20 percent match.
Planners also approved a proposed network of roads that will be the focus of congestion management efforts in the region along with regional objectives for congestion management. The plan is required since the region passed 200,000 in population.