Welcome to the new Oregon Community Paths program. We’re pleased to launch this competitive grant program that supports investments in biking and walking facilities all across Oregon. Specifically, Oregon Community Paths, or OCP, invests in facilities that are not primarily on or along a roadway. These “off-system” paths may be bike/pedestrian paths or path segments that: Traverse a park. Go between housing developments. Go along greenways or old rail lines. Or are located in areas that are not otherwise within the public right of way. Who is eligible? Eligible applicants include cities, counties, federally recognized tribes, school or transportation districts, and non-profit or private entities with support from local government agencies. Where is the funding from? We are using funds from the state Multimodal Active Transportation fund, initiated in the Keep Oregon Moving (HB 2017) legislation, and federal Transportation Alternatives Program fund for this program. What are we trying to achieve? Our goal is to complement existing active transportation programs in communities across the state. Oregon’s Strategic Action Plan prioritizes building, maintaining, and operating a modern, multimodal transportation system to serve all Oregonians, address climate change, and help Oregon communities and economies thrive. OCP supports that plan by increasing bicyclist and pedestrian safety, reducing the impact on the climate, increasing connectivity, and increasing opportunities for people of all ages, abilities, race, ethnicities, and incomes in urban, suburban, and rural areas across the state to bike or walk to reach their destinations. It increases multimodal transportation options and helps ensure transportation disadvantaged communities are served and included in decision-making. What’s next? We will be accepting applications this fall and we will notify everyone through email and other announcements. For more information, please sign up for one of our webinars, or contact Alan Thompson, PATHS Program Manager, 503-986-7202 or Alan.L.Thompson@odot.state.or.us. Key dates – August 7, August 21, and September 18: Program overview webinars. Go to the OCP webpage or contact Alan Thompson to sign up. Webinars will be recorded and posted on the OCP webpage. October 1 – October 31: The online Letter of Interest form will be available. A Letter of Interest is required to submit an application and is due before 11:59 p.m. on October 31, 2020. We will review Letters of Interest for eligibility and respond to eligible applicants that they may apply for an OCP grant. Letter of Interest forms will be available on the OCP webpage. October 14, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.: ODOT will host an online Question and Answer session to help applicants complete the online Letter of Interest form and the online OCP Grant Application. Information on how to attend the Question and Answer session will be posted on the OCP webpage. November 1 – January 31, 2021: We will accept applications for Construction or Project Refinement grants. Potential applicants must submit a Letter of Interest and be deemed eligible before applying. Summer 2021: Projects will be awarded. Find out more and sign up for email updates and meeting/webinar notifications by visiting the OCP webpage.
