Trail extending the Esplanade
to St. Johns.
(Photo: Scott Mizee/npGreenway)
It’s that time of year again when Metro seeks your comments on how they should spend millions of dollars in federal funds through their regional flexible funding program (also known as MTIP, the Metropolitian Transportation Improvement Program).
A key part of that process is gathering public comment so decision makers at Metro can make the most informed choices on how to spend $21.6 million. Sounds like a lot of money right? Well, the rub is that Metro has received applications for projects totaling $57.8 million — so that means they need your help to whittle down the list (JPACT, a Metro advisory committee has thankfully set a minimum of $7.2 million that must be spent on bike/ped projects).
Among the projects on the potential funding list are several drool-worthy trails and bikeway improvements including $500,000 to fund a comprehensive planning study of the Willamette Greenway Trail and $2.3 million to develop the Twenties Bikeway project.
NPGreenway is the non-profit group who’s been pushing for the Willamette Greenway Trail for nearly three years. One of the group’s leaders, Scott Mizee, says they realize the $500,000 won’t build their trail but he adds that the money, “would be key in moving the trail forward.”
There are several other very exciting bike trail projects in this round of applications. The BTA has a full write-up on their blog about what’s at stake and pointers on how to comment.
Tonight, Metro holds their final “Listening Post” event, where you can learn about the projects and give feedback directly to Metro representatives:
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MTIP Listening Post
Thursday, Oct. 30th, 5:00 – 8:00 pm
Metro Regional Center, Council Chamber
600 NE Grand Ave., Portland
You can also comment on each individual project online by going here and then clicking a specific project. The comment deadline is December 1, 2008.