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SKATS Transportation Improvement Program
Online Open House for the 2021-2026 Update
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What is the Transportation Improvement Program?
The Salem-Keizer Area Transportation Study (SKATS) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and Air Quality Conformity Determination (AQCD) establishes the schedule and priority for the near-term (6-year) funding and implementation of transportation projects and programs. These projects are in the adopted 20-year Regional Transportation Systems Plan ( RTSP ).
The TIP is the region’s short-range capital improvements program for roads, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, transit, and other transportation elements in the Salem-Keizer-Turner urbanized area. It includes a description of the regional transportation planning process. It describes the state and federal regulations that guide regional transportation planning, and includes lists of transportation projects proposed for fiscal year (FY) 2021 through 2026.
The TIP is developed through a cooperative planning process led by SKATS, this area’s federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), and reflect active participation by area jurisdictions, agencies, interest groups, and citizens.
What's the process?
The TIP is updated every three to four years. The current update cycle began in early 2019 and will conclude with adoption at the May 26, 2020 SKATS Policy Committee meeting.
Important to the plan development is input from the public. In 2019, 14 project applications were submitted by the cities, counties and agencies in the area. The public commented on those projects and that feedback informed the Policy Committee's choice of the final short list of projects.
Now, the draft TIP is available for public comment, and we want to hear from you.
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What is in the TIP?
The six-year TIP (2021-2026) lists projects and programs which will be funded in the near term with a combination of federal, state, and local transportation funds. The TIP includes both new and previously approved programs, and projects on the regional road system to ease current and future traffic congestion, improve safety, and support transit, carpooling, and bicycle/pedestrian travel. Federal regulations require that the TIP be “financially constrained” which means demonstrating that projects and programs can be implemented based on expected funding. The projects and programs in the years 2021 through 2024 total nearly $170 million. Projects and programs in 2025 and 2026 total over $6 million; although, these funds are considered illustrative since they are beyond the initial four years of the TIP. The TIP is updated and adopted every three years by the SKATS Policy Committee, whose members are elected officials.
Helping ODOT Plan Transportation Projects
Regionally significant and/or federally funded Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), and local projects are also included in the TIP. The Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, known as the STIP, is ODOT's capital improvement program for state and federally-funded projects. It is also open for comment. This video explains ODOT's role in partnership with SKATS' role.
The draft TIP was prepared through the cooperative efforts of officials and representatives from the cities of Salem, Keizer, and Turner; Polk and Marion Counties; the Salem-Keizer School District; Salem Area Mass Transit District; and ODOT.
For each adopted Transportation Improvement Program, a separate Air Quality Conformity Determination (AQCD) must be completed as stated in Federal regulations 40 CFR part 93, subpart A, and therefore is an additional part of this update.
Funding for Transit
Several funding programs support transit services including:
Cherriots Bus Replacements; Replace aging buses. $2,100,000
Oregon Transportation Network; Transit Capital Funding. $1,200,000
Regional Transportation Options Programs; Strategic approach to encourage alternatives to the single-occupant vehicle including matching service for carpools and vanpools. Approximately $500,000 per year.
Transit Urban 5307 Formula Program; Preventative maintenance and operating activities related to the transit system. Approximately $9,000,000 per year.
Transit Urban 5310 Formula Program; Mobility of seniors and individuals with disabilities. Approximately $300,000 per year.
Transit Urban 5339 Formula Program; Capital projects necessary for the continued operation of the transit system. Approximately $1,000,000 per year.
Mobility programs
Funding for Programs and Studies
Oregon Household and Activity Survey; Survey to determine why, how, where, and when people travel, for all modes. $425,000 SKATS
River Rd; Develop a conceptual intersection design for River Rd N at McNary Estates. $340,000 (shown as #32 on map, page 2) Keizer
Safe Routes to School; Funding for a coordinator to encourage biking and walking to and from school. $570,000 SKATS
Regional MPO Support; Develop regional planning studies, transportation planning documents, allocate funding, collect data, and forecast travel. Approximately $1,350,000 per year. SKATS
Regional Traffic Signal Control Center Operations; Optimize coordinated control of the regional signal system to result in less motorized traffic delay. Approximately $800,000 per two-year program. Salem
Regional Traffic Signal Control Center
Funding for Bike and Pedestrian Projects
13 projects that build sidewalks, bike lanes, or enhance pedestrian crossings.
- Wheatland Rd (River Rd - City Limit)
- Hayesville Dr (Portland Rd - Fuhrer St)
- Commercial St (Oxford St - Madrona Ave)
- Union St Family Friendly Bikeway
- Verda Ln (Dearborn Av - Salem Pkwy)
- Hollywood Dr (Silverton - Greenfield)
- Mill Street SE Rail Crossing
- Connecticut Av: (Macleay Rd - Rickey St)
- Turner Rd: (Mill Creek - Chicago St SE)
- OR 99E Business (D St-Union St)
- Pedestrian Safety Crossing in Salem
- Orchard Heights Rd Sidewalks
- Commercial St (Vista St - Ratcliff Dr)
Funding for Road and Bridge Projects
13 projects that add turn lanes, reconstruct road way, repair bridges and realign connections.
- OR 22W (Doaks Ferry Rd to Riggs Ave)
- I-5: Kuebler Blvd to Delaney Rd
- Kuebler Blvd @ Turner Rd
- Broadway St @ Pine St
- Lancaster Dr (Center St to Monroe Ave)
- Center St (Lancaster Dr to 45th Pl NE)
- I-5: N. Santiam - Kuebler Rd
- State St @ 25th St
- OR 22 Center St. Bridge Seismic
- McGilchrist St @ 22nd
- State Dr (41st to 46th Ave)
- Delaney Rd (Battle Creek Bridge)
- Hilfiker Ln @ Commercial St
Where can I get more information?
The inside view of the TIP Brochure.
We want your input now!
The Draft 21-26 TIP and AQCD is now open for Public Comment. Give your comments directly on the map below. Click on the map or project name to see details. Enter your comment by using the text box symbol. When adding a comment, the Name, Address and Email fields will not display any of your information to the public, and are also optional to complete. Only the contents of your comment will display after you submit them. Comments accepted until May 17, 2020.
(If you are on a mobile device, you will need to click on the link to open the map first.)
Interactive Comment Map 21-26 TIP Update
If you prefer, email your comments directly to kodenthal@mwvcog.org , Karen Odenthal, or call 503-540-1608.
All comments will be provided to the SKATS Policy Committee for their May 26, 2020 meeting and Public Hearing. Given current MWVCOG restrictions on visitors to our offices due to COVID-19, attending in public may not be possible. Therefore, please submit comments by e-mail, phone, or through the online Open House. Contact us at 503-588-6177 for more information.