Early Planning Pays Dividends for Roadway Projects
Transportation funding programs are an essential need in the United States. America’s network of roadways and bridges is critical to economic vitality and global competitiveness. However, deteriorating conditions across the nation have created a dire situation. The National Transportation Research Group (TRIP) estimates that nearly 44 percent of the country’s major roads and bridges are in urgent need of repair or expansion. Additionally, nationwide traffic congestion costs motorists over $160 billion a year in wasted time and fuel costs. These statistics will hardly come as a surprise to community leaders around the Midwest where harsh seasonal weather conditions worsen roadway conditions at an accelerated pace. In Iowa, however, city and county leaders have numerous options at their disposal to help fund needed repairs.
The Iowa Department of Transportation has compiled “Grant Programs” that explains many of these programs and the criteria that have to be met to participate. The professionals at Snyder & Associates are well-versed at navigating the numerous funding programs available and tailoring projects to meet certain program standards. Some of these programs have various approval methods and specific application deadlines while others accept applications year-round. But early planning is the best course to ensure your project receives the funds it needs.
The Crosstown Connector system required multiple funding streams.
Transportation Funding Programs
Two particular Iowa programs that our teams have assisted our clients with to great success are the Traffic Safety Improvement Program (TSIP) and the Iowa Clean Air Attainment Program (ICAAP). Below is an overview of each program with critical dates to keep in mind:
Traffic Safety Improvement Program
- Provides funding for traffic safety improvements or studies on any public roads under county, city, or state jurisdiction
- Addresses existing traffic safety issues such as four-lane to three-lane conversions, roundabout or signalized intersections, pedestrian/bike improvements, etc.
- $500,000 maximum project funding
- No local match required
- Funding provided by the state
- Applications due yearly on August 15th
Iowa Clean Air Attainment Program
- This program funds highway/street, transit, bicycle/pedestrian, or freight projects which help maintain Iowa’s clean air quality by reducing transportation-related emissions
- Sample projects include traffic flow improvements, traffic signal timing/system & software upgrades, roundabout intersections, pedestrian/bike improvements, or street network capacity improvements
- Applications for ICAAP funding may be submitted by public entities such as cities, counties, public transit agencies, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), regional planning affiliations (RPAs), and state and federal agencies
- $20,000 minimum project funding (No maximum but project awards typically don’t exceed $1 million)
- 20% local match required
- Federal funding (some projects receive SWAP funding)
- Applications due yearly on October 1st (Some regional MPO’s require a pre-application during the summer)
Of course, these snapshots do not encompass every facet of each program. Our experts can help you make project decisions that maximize your funding potential. Please use the form below to get a conversation started.
Additional Transportation Funding Programs to Consider
Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy (RISE) — Provides funding for Iowa cities and counties in the form of a grant, loan or combination of the two and must involve the construction or improvement of a public roadway in addition to creating new jobs
Iowa Traffic Engineering Assistance Program (TEAP) — Provides traffic engineering expertise to Iowa cities and counties to identify cost-effective traffic safety and operational improvements as well as potential funding sources
Urban-State Traffic Engineering Program (U-STEP) — Provides funding to Iowa cities to solve traffic operation and safety problems on primary roads within incorporated areas
County-State Traffic Engineering Program (C-STEP) — Provides funding to Iowa counties for projects that solve traffic operation and safety problems on primary roads outside incorporated cities
Highway Safety Improvement Program – Secondary (HSIP-Secondary Program) — Provides federal funds to Iowa counties for low-cost, systemic safety improvements on secondary roads that meet certain safety criteria
Pedestrian Curb Ramp Construction — Provides funding to assist Iowa cities in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on primary roadway corridors
All of these programs have distinct, project-specific criteria that must be observed and application requirements that must be met to qualify for funding. Our team can help you determine if one of these programs might be advantageous to pursue. Using your communities Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and/or budget, we can find projects that might benefit from an outside funding program like those mentioned above. We’ll also look at projects that are slated two or three years out that might meet program criteria to supplement local funding. With our extensive presence around the state and familiarity with tools such as the Iowa DOT crash tool and regional long-range transportation plans, our professionals can work with you to efficiently identify the hot spots experiencing traffic safety and congestion issues in your community.
Though we focus on Iowa-based programs here, Snyder & Associates has an expansive reach around the Midwest with 12 office locations in five states, most of which have similar transportation funding options. Our goal is to maximize the benefits of transportation funding programs in all of the communities we touch to help our clients align projects with funding sources available in their region.
