SKATS, the regional transportation planning agency for the greater Salem/Keizer area, has approved the 2021-2026 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP establishes the schedule and priority for the near-term funding and implementation of transportation improvement projects. Approximately $15 million in federal funds were available for this cycle. 

 

We submitted comments in support of infrastructure and programming investments for projects that will improve safety and access for people who walk, bicycle and use transit in the Salem-Keizer area. Today's action by the SKATS Policy Committee will help support bicycle and pedestrian projects totalling more than $35M between federal and local dollars. Approximately $2M will support regional transit fleet upgrades, to help phase out old high-emission vehicles. 

 

We are also very pleased to have supported the $570,000 allocation for additional three years of Safe Routes to School programming in the region. For the past two + years we have supported efforts in the Salem-Keizer area to launch its first-ever Safe Routes to School program. Thanks to the ODOT Safe Routes to School Non-Infrastructure program, Salem-Keizer currently has a 3-year grant to support the new program and coordinator position. The additional investment approved today by SKATS, will extend funding for the Salem-Keizer Safe Routes to School program for an additional three years!

 

To review the full 2021-2026 TIP, please visit SKAT's website.