Overview of TIB Grant Programs

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he Legislature created the Transportation Improvement Board to foster state investment in quality local transportation projects. The TIB distributes grant funding, which comes from the revenue generated by three cents of the statewide gas tax, to cities and counties for funding transportation projects. TIB's grant programs are catagorized by the type of customer agency each program is intended to serve.

Urban Programs

Urban programs serve cities with a population of 5,000 or more and counties with urban unincorporated areas.

Small City Programs

Small city programs are designed to serve cities and towns with a population of less than 5,000.

Other Opportunities

Other TIB funding opportunities that may have specialized eligibility requirements.

Application Process

TIB typically issues a call for projects each June for the next year's funding program. The TIB application process follows these steps:

  • Decide which TIB Funding programs your agency is eligible for.
  • Download the appropriate funding application and complete a separate application for each project you want to be considered for funding. Funding applications are made available in June.
  • Submit/postmark your application by the application due date - typically near the end of August.
  • TIB engineering staff will begin reviewing and scoring all applications in September. TIB uses a priority array process for each funding program to identify projects that best meet the intent of the program. Criteria are developed by the Board in cooperation with local agencies.
  • TIB staff present a list of recommended projects to the board at the November meeting.
  • If your project is selected, you will be contacted by TIB engineering staff about what steps to take next.

TIB Funding Workshops

During the call for projects, TIB engineering staff conduct funding program workshops at various locations throughout the state. The TIB funding workshops provide information about the funding programs TIB administers, the scoring criteria for each program and the application process. TIB's workshops are intended to increase the probability of a successful project application. For more information on workshops or to register, see the TIB Training page.

Funding Program Eligibility

To determine which TIB programs your agency is eligible for, select your agency from the list.

 

Funding Applications

Urban Applications
Small City Applications

TIB Administrative Code

The Washington Administrative Code (WAC) pertaining to TIB's grant programs, can be found in:

WAC 479-05 - Grant Administration
WAC 479-10 - SCPP and Sidewalks
WAC 479-14 - Urbans and SCAP

The statutes governing TIB's programs can be found in RCW 47 - Public Highways and Transportation.

Call for Projects

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IB typically issues a call for projects each June with new projects being awarded in November. The most recent call for projects, for award in November 2021, opens on June 1, 2021. This year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, TIB will be holding funding workshops as webinars on June 1, 2021 and June 9, 2021. Project selections will be announced at the November 2021 TIB meeting. For more information about the workshops, visit the TIB Training page.

2021 Call for Projects - Anticipated Program Sizes
Urban Arterial Program /
Arterial Preservation Program		 $68.0 Million
Urban Sidewalk Program $5.0 Million
Small City Arterial Program /
Small City Preservation Program		 $19.0 Million
Small City Sidewalk Program $3.0 Million
2021 Call for Projects - Schedule
Preliminary call size presented to board May 28, 2021
Applications posted online June 1, 2021
Online Funding Workshops June 1 & 9, 2021
Grant applications due August 13, 2021
Staff recommendation presented to the board November 18, 2021
Recommended adoption of new projects November 19, 2021

November 2020 Project Selections

At the November 20, 2020 Board meeting, the Transportation Improvement Board selected projects for the FY 2022 funding cycle.
A summary of the projects funded is below.  For more details, view the new project selections on the TIB Performance Management Dashboard.

Program Total Funding # Selected Applications Total Requested Total Project Costs
UAP $45,597,161 24 68 $150,369,592 $322,235,156
APP $3,420,011 11 27 $11,004,623 $12,889,753
SCAP $6,888,230 14 38 $19,960,852 $26,967,060
SCPP $2,808,563 22 44 $7,506,265 $7,921,708

More information on Project Selections

For detailed information on project selections, view the Project Selections section of the TIB Performance Dashboard.

Go to TIB Dashboard

Urban Programs

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he TIB provides funding to cities with a population of 5,000 or more and counties with urban unincorporated areas through three grant programs: the Urban Arterial Program (UAP), the Urban Sidewalk Program (SP) and the Arterial Preservation Program (APP). Eligible projects must be located within the federally designated urban area and be in compliance with the Growth Management Act. Projects are selected annually on a competitive basis. Each program has distinct characteristics for the best suited project. Qualification and criteria are different within each program. Once selected, TIB staff provides grant oversight and acts as facilitators to bring projects to completion.

Overview

At the March 2013 board meeting, the Transportation Improvement Board adopted new criteria to evaluate grant applications for urban agency construction projects. Criteria were redeveloped to make a stronger connection to statewide transportation priorities, with the intent of giving agencies clearer guidelines for competitive projects.

Previously, TIB operated two grant programs for urban agency construction projects: Urban Arterial Program (UAP); and Urban Corridor Program (UCP). In order to score well in either program, projects generally needed to meet a combination of factors, such as poor street condition and safety concerns. The effect of averaging scores sometimes meant that the top projects in a single area (like safety or growth & development) were not selected.

With the new criteria, a successful arterial project must score well in one of four areas called "bands." These bands are:

  • Safety
  • Growth & development
  • Physical condition
  • Mobility
Additionally, all projects will be rated in Sustainability and Constructability categories.

Program Specific Information

The Urban Arterial Program funds projects in the areas of Safety, Growth and Development, Mobility, and Physical Condition. A maximum of 65 points may be achieved in any one band; the remaining 35 points come from both Sustainability and Constructability criteria.

Additional program information:

  • Eligible agencies are counties with urban unincorporated areas and cities with a population of 5,000 or greater
  • Eligible projects must be on a federally classified route (principal, minor, collector)
  • Projects must be consistent with state, regional and local transportation plans
  • The local match requirement is determined by the city's valuation, or in the case of counties, by its road levy valuation (Minimum local match ranges from 10 to 20 percent)
  • Funds are distributed across five regions based on arterial lane miles and population

UAP Program Criteria

TIB uses a priority array process to identify projects that best meet the intent of each funding program.  Criteria are developed by the Board in cooperation with local agencies.

UAP Funding Application

Funding applications are available during each year's call for projects (from June to August).

Overview

The Sidewalk Program was established by the Legislature in 1995 to provide funding for pedestrian projects. The program is available to both small city and urban agencies. Urban and small city projects compete separately.

To be eligible for the program:

  • The intent of the project must be transportation and not recreation
  • The project must be on a federally classified route (principal, minor, or collector)
Projects improve pedestrian safety, access, connectivity, and address system continuity.

Completed projects must be consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Program Specific Information

The intent of the Urban Sidewalk Program is to provide funding for projects that address safety, access to generators, and system connectivity. All projects must be transportation related on a federally classified route and be consistent with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).

General criteria for the Sidewalk Program include:

  • A minimum 20 percent match is required on all urban sidewalk program projects
  • Funds are distributed across three regions based on arterial lane miles and population

SP Program Criteria

TIB uses a priority array process to identify projects that best meet the intent of each funding program.  Criteria are developed by the Board in cooperation with local agencies.

SP Funding Application

Funding applications are available during each year's call for projects (from June to August).

Overview

During the 2012 Legislative Session, funds from the Highway Safety Account were appropriated to TIB to address declining street condition in cities. TIB created the Arterial Preservation Program for medium sized cities in response.

Because the Legislature appropriates the Highway Safety Account funds biennially, these funds could be at-risk due to other state transportation budget pressures. Therefore, the APP will not be included in the June 2014 Call for Projects. Future programs are dependent upon budget appropriation.

The APP provides funding for overlay of federally classified arterial streets in cities with a population greater than 5,000 and assessed valuation less than $2 billion. Although the program offers critical preservation assistance, it is not enough to substitute for a city's street maintenance program. Therefore, the program is limited to overlay in an effort to defray high cost preservation projects, allowing cities to concentrate limited resources on lower cost preventative maintenance.

Rather than a regional distribution, funding is targeted for road maintenance opportunities across the state.

Continuation of this program is contingent upon future funding from the Legislature.

Program Specific Information

Local match for TIB funding is based upon a city's assessed valuation (AV). Cities with AV of less than $1 billion are required to match 10%; cities with AV between $1 billion and $2 billion are required to match 15%.

APP Required Match

To determine the matching percentage required for your city, select from the list below:

APP Funding Application

Funding applications are available during each year's call for projects (from June to August).

Overview

The main goal of the Relight Washington Program is to lower city's street light costs by helping cities convert to more energy efficient LED streetlights. A sustainable return on investment study found that cost, energy, and environmental benefits returned more than twice the installation expense over 15 years. A challenge in converting to LED streetlights is the initial capital costs. The TIB decided it would pay the initial capital costs.

Eligible cities include all small towns (population less than 5,000) and urban cities with a total assessed value of less than $2 billion. A full list of currently eligible cities can be found here.

Program Specific Information

In the Puget Sound Energy service area

PSE is a partner in this project and will replace all street lights in their service area beginning in October 2015. Cities with population less than 5,000 are all scheduled for conversion in 2015-2016. Three months before planned conversion, you will get authorization paperwork from TIB to sign and return. Medium-sized cities up to $2 billion assessed value will also be converted in the PSE service area in 2017-2019. PSE and TIB have automated the processes for scheduling, authorization and installation. Cities need to sign paperwork and pass the PSE bill through to TIB for reimbursement. No application or match is required.

In the Avista Utilities service area

Avista Utilities is a partner in this project. Installation has not yet begun and the start date is not yet know. Avista plans to convert all street lights by 2019. Cities in the Avista Utilities service area need to sign paperwork and pass the Avista bill through to TIB for reimbursement. No application or match is required.

Municipally-owned Street Lights

Cities with their own street lights or municipal energy departments can request funding by submitting a proposal to TIB (LINK). This form can be used if your city owns part of the street light system too.

Public Utility District service areas

TIB has no established partnerships with Public Utility Districts at this time. Cities should work with their public utility district to ensure concurrence and confirm that reasonable savings will accrue to the city. The Municipally-owned Street Light form can then be used to request funding.

Other considerations
  • Private street lights, including HOAs are not eligible unless the utility is willing to take them over.
  • If you have service providers outside those listed, contact your TIB engineer.
  • This program is funded by legislative appropriation and all conversions beyond the 2015-2017 biennium is subject to continued funding.
  • TIB street light funding is only available to cities under $2 billion assessed property value, but programs from the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (Energy Service Company agreements) or the Washington State Department of Commerce may be available for other entities.

For more information you can contact your TIB engineer or Vaughn Nelson.

Relight Washington Proposal

Small City Programs

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he TIB provides funding for cities and towns with a population less than 5,000 through four grant programs:the Small City Arterial Program (SCAP), the Small City Sidewalk Program (SCSP), the Small City Preservation Program (SCPP) and the Relight Washington Program (LED). These programs fund projects with the intent of reconstructing or maintaining the transportation infrastructure. Funding is distributed regionally, with projects competing only in their own region. The Transportation Improvement Board understands that the state's smallest communities do not have the financial ability to fund large portions of transportation improvements. TIB's programs for small cities have been developed to require little or no local match. Match requirements are determined by population. TIB's small city funding is awarded annually through a competitive process. Applications are reviewed by TIB staff and projects are rated based on criteria developed by the Board.

Small City Arterial Program (SCAP)

Overview

The Small City Arterial Program was formally established by the Legislature in 1995. Projects preserve and improve TIB classified arterials consistent with local needs in cities with a population less than 5,000.

A TIB classified arterial must meet at least one of the following conditions to be eligible for TIB funding:

  • Serves as a logical extension of a county arterial or state highway into the corporate limits
  • Serves as a route connecting local generators such as schools, medical facilities, social centers, recreational areas, commercial centers or industrial sites
  • Acts as a bypass or truck route to relieve the central core area

Program Specific Information

The intent of the Small City Arterial Program is to rehabilitate TIB arterials.

Funding specifics include:

  • Funds are distributed across three regions based on small city populations
  • Cities and towns with a population under 1000 – no match required
  • Cities and towns with a population 1000 and over – 5% local match required

SCAP Program Criteria

TIB uses a priority array process to identify projects that best meet the intent of each funding program.  Criteria are developed by the Board in cooperation with local agencies.

SCAP Funding Application

Funding applications are available during each year's call for projects (from June to August).

Small City Sidewalk Program (SCSP)

Overview

The Sidewalk Program was established by the Legislature in 1995 to provide funding for pedestrian projects. The program is available to both small city and urban agencies. Urban and small city projects compete separately.

To be eligible for the program:

  • The intent of the project must be transportation and not recreation
  • The project must be on or related to a TIB Small City Arterial
Small City Sidewalk Program projects improve safety, access, connectivity, and address system continuity. Completed projects must be consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Program Specific Information

The intent of the Small City Sidewalk Program is to provide funding for projects that address safety, access to generators, and system continuity by filling in gaps within the system.  All projects must be transportation related on a federally classified route and be consistent with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).

General criteria for the Sidewalk Program include:

  • Funds are distributed across three regions based on small city populations
  • Local match is required if the population is over 1,000 residents
  • Local match requirements: Under 1,000 population – no match required; Over 1,000 ‐ 5% local match required

SP Program Criteria

TIB uses a priority array process to identify projects that best meet the intent of each funding program.  Criteria are developed by the Board in cooperation with local agencies.

SP Funding Application

Funding applications are available during each year's call for projects (from June to August).

Small City Preservation Program (SCPP)

Overview

During the 2005 Legislative Session, Substitute Senate Bill 5775 established the Small City Preservation Program. This program provides funding for chip seal and overlay of existing pavement and sidewalk maintenance in incorporated cities with populations less than 5,000.

Because program funds are transferred biennially, SCPP may not be offered every year. Check with your TIB engineer or attend a funding workshop to learn more about funding opportunities.

Funds are provided through the maintenance management program administered through TIB. Condition ratings, economies of scale, and assessed valuation of cities are all considerations in amount of funds provided.

This is a non-competitive program and funds are not distributed regionally, rather, funding is targeted for road maintenance opportunities across the state.

Program Specific Information

In 2005, the state legislature found that it was in the state's best interest to support economic vitality in small cities.  The legislature recognized that the cities and towns with small populations are unable to fully maintain and preserve their street infrastructure system, but that there is also a need for the cities to contribute something to the work being done which will allow the city or town to take ownership of the project and help make it their own.  This could be in the form of in-kind services or donations of plants and other landscaping or beautification activities.

In order to be able to fund more projects around the state, the higher valued cities demonstrated an ability to contribute cash to the projects to assist with the project costs.  Therefore, a funding match based upon a city's assessed valuation was set at 10% for cities over $500 million and 5% for cities over $100 million.  No match is requested for valuations under $100 million.  In the event that WSDOT is the provider of the services, no matching funds are required, regardless of the city's assessed valuation.

SCPP Required Match

To determine the matching percentage required for your city, select from the list below:

SCPP Funding Application

Funding applications are available during each year's call for projects (from June to August).

Relight Washington Program (LED)

Overview

The main goal of the Relight Washington Program is to lower city's street light costs by helping cities convert to more energy efficient LED streetlights. A sustainable return on investment study found that cost, energy, and environmental benefits returned more than twice the installation expense over 15 years. A challenge in converting to LED streetlights is the initial capital costs. The TIB decided it would pay the initial capital costs.

Eligible cities include all small towns (population less than 5,000) and urban cities with a total assessed value of less than $2 billion. A full list of currently eligible cities can be found here.

Program Specific Information

In the Puget Sound Energy service area

PSE is a partner in this project and will replace all street lights in their service area beginning in October 2015. Cities with population less than 5,000 are all scheduled for conversion in 2015-2016. Three months before planned conversion, you will get authorization paperwork from TIB to sign and return. Medium-sized cities up to $2 billion assessed value will also be converted in the PSE service area in 2017-2019. PSE and TIB have automated the processes for scheduling, authorization and installation. Cities need to sign paperwork and pass the PSE bill through to TIB for reimbursement. No application or match is required.

In the Avista Utilities service area

Avista Utilities is a partner in this project. Installation has not yet begun and the start date is not yet know. Avista plans to convert all street lights by 2019. Cities in the Avista Utilities service area need to sign paperwork and pass the Avista bill through to TIB for reimbursement. No application or match is required.

Municipally-owned Street Lights

Cities with their own street lights or municipal energy departments can request funding by submitting a proposal to TIB (LINK). This form can be used if your city owns part of the street light system too.

Public Utility District service areas

TIB has no established partnerships with Public Utility Districts at this time. Cities should work with their public utility district to ensure concurrence and confirm that reasonable savings will accrue to the city. The Municipally-owned Street Light form can then be used to request funding.

Other considerations
  • Private street lights, including HOAs are not eligible unless the utility is willing to take them over.
  • If you have service providers outside those listed, contact your TIB engineer.
  • This program is funded by legislative appropriation and all conversions beyond the 2015-2017 biennium is subject to continued funding.
  • TIB street light funding is only available to cities under $2 billion assessed property value, but programs from the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (Energy Service Company agreements) or the Washington State Department of Commerce may be available for other entities.

For more information you can contact your TIB engineer or Vaughn Nelson.

Relight Washington Proposal

Small City Maintenance Program

Overview

New for 2021, TIB is offering grants to our small city agencies for low cost maintenance. This includes treatments such as pothole repair, pavement repair, crack sealing, fog sealing, and more. Agencies should apply for what is needed to maximize the lifespan of their streets.

This program is meant to supplement current city efforts towards maintenance or encourage cities to start regular maintenance. Cities should administer the projects on their own. Consultant and engineering costs are not eligible.

Program Specific Information
  • Apply treatment only on hard surfaced city streets.
  • State Routes are not eligible, even if they are within town/city limits.
  • Federal funding cannot be used for local match.
  • Engineering costs are not eligible.

For more information you can contact your TIB engineer.

Small City Maintenance Application

Other Funding Opportunities

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he Transportation Improvement Board occasionally offers funding opportunities with specialized eligiblity requirements in addition to its regular grant funding programs for Urban and Small City customers.

Overview

The Complete Streets Award is a funding opportunity for local governments that have an adopted complete streets ordinance. Board approved nominators may nominate an agency for showing practice of planning and building streets to accommodate all users, including pedestrians, access to transit, cyclists, and motorists of all ages and abilities.

This program awards grants every two years starting in 2017. Agencies with an adopted complete streets ordinance should confirm their eligibility on the TIB eligibility list and maintain close relationships with the approved nominators listed below.

Next Opportunity

With the passing of the 2021-23 Washington State Transportation Budget, the legislature has funded the Complete Streets Program. The next awards are anticipated for an open call in Summer 2021 and awards in 2022. Nominating organizations will set their own deadlines for local agencies to be considered. Cities and counties with a current complete streets award must finish their work plan items and have their closeout paperwork processed in order to be eligible for the next cycle of awards. Awards are anticipated to range between $100,000 and $1,000,000.

Nominators - State Agency Partners

Eligible agencies may be nominated by any of the established nominating partners. Nominating partners include board approved state agencies and non-profit organizations that have an interest in transportation or complete streets. Current approved state agency nominators include:

Nominators - Non-Profit Organizations

Eligible agencies may be nominated by any of the established nominating partners. Nominating partners include board approved state agencies and non-profit organizations that have an interest in transportation or complete streets. Current approved non-profit nominators include:

Program Specific Information

How to Nominate

Nominating agencies will fill out a simple 2-page form describing what motivates a nominator to nominate a city for an award. Nominators may describe activities or projects that indicate an ethic of building complete streets. Examples include: non-motorized master plans, current projects that accommodate non-motorized users, or future projects that retrofit streets and roads to include more users.

What Should Agencies Do?

Cities and counties should have an adopted complete streets policy and show an ethic of building for all users. Many agencies have been doing this without an official policy and these activities may be considered during nomination and evaluation by TIB staff. TIB encourages working with nominating organizations, especially during design and development of projects to ensure nomination.

Who is Awarded?

TIB staff will evaluate all nominations to determine who will receive awards. Unlike other TIB programs, there will not be set criteria established. TIB staff will evaluate based on policy quality, plan integration, community outreach and engagement, past project actions, and future project plans.

How Can Funds be Used?

Nominated agencies will submit a work program to TIB. Immediately after board approval of the city's or county's proposed work plan, TIB will disburse funds to the city or county. The city or county will hold the funds in a restricted account to be used only on activities in the approved work plan. TIB staff can approve work plan amendments administratively. Cities and counties must expend funds within three years of payment or the funds will be recovered by TIB.

Complete Streets Eligibility

Any city or county that has an adopted complete streets ordinance is eligible to be nominated. Agencies with a known complete streets ordinance are listed below.

If your agency has an ordinance and it is not listed, please contact your TIB engineer. Cities and counties with a current complete streets award must finish their work plan items and have their closeout paperwork processed in order to be eligible for the next cycle of awards.

Downloads

More Information

For more information about this program please contact Chris Workman at ChrisW@tib.wa.gov.

More information about complete streets policies can be found on the MRSC website as well as through Smart Growth America's website.