Board adopts MSTIP 3e funding program

Media release

Posted October 3, 2016

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, October 04, 2016

Sponsored by: Department of Land Use and Transportation, Administrative Services/Office of the Director Division

The Major Streets Transportation Improvement Program Phase 3e (MSTIP 3e) Funding Program was adopted by the Washington County Board of Commissioners today [Oct. 4].

MSTIP has been funded by local property taxes since 1986. The Board of County Commissioners allocates MSTIP funding on a five-year cycle. The MSTIP 3e funding cycle is from Fiscal Year 2018-19 through Fiscal Year 2022-23. The MSTIP 3e program reflects a $175 million funding allocation ($35 million per year), including:

$160 million for 23 road projects (about $40 million per Commissioner district) that will improve travel for bicyclists, pedestrians, motorists and transit passengers
$7.5 million for the "Opportunity Fund" to leverage other local, state and federal transportation funding
$7 million for rural bridge replacements
$500,000 for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) improvements to maximize the efficiency of existing roads (advanced traffic signals, driver information signs, lane-use management, etc.)

"The MSTIP program provides us the opportunity to make major improvements to existing roads throughout the County," said Andrew Singelakis, director, Washington County Land Use & Transportation. "Projects selected for MSTIP funding must improve safety and traffic flow on major roads;and address demands for vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians and/or transit."

The MSTIP 3e project list was developed following a month-long comment period in May. The public was asked to comment on a "150% Project List," which included 34 projects totaling $240 million – or about one-and-a-half times the available $160 million funding. More than 1,300 comments were received through an online open house and three in-person open houses.

Including MSTIP 3e, the MSTIP program has funded more than 150 transportation improvement projects totaling $900 million since its inception. For more information on MSTIP and how MSTIP projects are selected, visit http://mstip.org.

To learn more about transportation funding in Washington County, visit transportationfunding.org.

Washington County is committed to planning and protecting the uses of the land and to building and maintaining a great transportation system, balancing care for the natural environment, economic development, safety and community livability.

Media Contact:

Melissa De Lyser, Communications Coordinator
503-846-4963
[email protected]