Bike/Ped projects coming up short in stimulus

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, passed by Congress in Feburary of this year, provided major new funding sources to help states with transportation projects.  The legislation requried that states and DC use half of their available funds with in 120 days (by May 17th) of the legislation being passed.  A total of $123.5 million was allocated for DC, $431 million for Maryland (with $129 million sub allocated for urban areas), and $694.5 million for VA (with $208 million sub allocated for urban areas).  The bill also allocated a percentage of funds to the transportation enhancements program which is often used in part for bicycle and pedestrian projects.  The stimulus bill alloThe Enhancement funds total $3.7 million in DC, $12.9 million in Maryland, and $20.8 million in Virginia.

The bad news

While biking ans walking projects have been funded through the stimulus in Arlington, Alexandria and DC, as of May 20th, a total of ZERO dollars have been requested for bike and pedestrian projects in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in Maryland, as well as Fairfax County in VA..  ZERO dollars!!!   At a time of a severe budget crisis that is impacting county budgets across the region, the economic stimulus package is an ideal way to fund bike and pedestrian projects.

Additionally, while funds have been allocated for roadway resurfacing projects little work has so far been done to see how these roadways can help improve travel by bike by adding bike lanes or shared use lanes.

We still have a chance

Half of a state's stimulus funds needed to be allocated by May 17th, states have one year from the date of the bill's passage to allocate the remainder.  But officials in Maryland wont fund bike projects if they dont hear from local cyclists.

What you can do

All projects that receive stimulus funding have to be included on the region's Transportation Improvement Program or TIP.  Amendments to the TIP must be approved by the Transportation Planning Board.  WABA has created stimulus webpages for each state where you will find out more details about what you can do to help get federal stimulus dollars for bike projects.  Please see the links below. 

Please visit your state's s

What is Next?

Since states have just 120 days to obligate half of their available funding and one year to obligate the remainder of funds, it is essential that advocates work quickly to familiarize states with ready-to-go bicycle and pedestrian projects and to ask questions about the designs for the roadway projects being implemented to ensure that as many of these projects as possible can become complete streets. In some states, formulas are being used to divide up this funding, so action needs to happen at the state, regional (MPO) and local (city/county) levels. It is important that advocates take action quickly as states and communities are moving quickly to select projects for funding.

In addition, urbanized areas also have a role to play in the decision-making for approximately 30% of a state’s funding, meaning that advocates can also work at the local level to ensure that local lists of ready-to-go projects include bicycle and pedestrian priorities.

Fix it Correctly!

Maryland has set a "fix it first" policy for use of its transportation funds.  However, when roadways are resurfaced and repaired that they can be rebuilt in a way that is better for cyclists and pedestrians by applying complete streets principals. 

Letters can be sent to Governor Martin O'Malley through his website form.  If you live in Prince George's County be sure to copy County E xecutive Jack Johnson.  In Montgomery County, copy County Executive Ike Leggett.  Please see a sample letter and list of potential bike projects below.

Sample Letter:

Dear Governor O'Malley:

I am writing to discuss Maryland's plans for spending the transportation funding that Congress provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The law directs each state to spend 3% of its highway allocation on the Transportation Enhancements program, but more can be done.

Given the quick turnaround time for obligation of transportation funding, I want to ensure that you are aware of the ready-to-go bicycle and pedestrian projects in Maryland. I encourage you to fund the following projects:

1) Sligo Creek Trail Improvements ($1.6 million)

2) Capital Crescent Trail Safety Improvements ($2.5 million)

3) MacArthur Blvd Path and Shoulder ($2.9 million)

4) Anacostia Trail Improvements ($3 million)

5) Henson Creek Trail ($750,000)

6) City of Frederick Shared Use Path ($2.7 million)

I also request that Maryland prioritize our Transportation Enhancements funds for bicycle and pedestrian projects. Building sidewalks, bike lanes, and multi-use paths net more jobs per dollars spent than highway projects, because they use fewer materials and are more labor intensive. These projects are also generally smaller and quicker to build—ensuring that our state can get funding out the door rapidly and in a way that benefits local engineering and construction firms, as well as communities.

In addition, I request that Maryland give priority to highway and road projects that create “complete streets,” which ensure that all users—whether walking, bicycling, taking public transportation, or driving—are accommodated. 

Bicycle, pedestrian, and complete streets projects turn streets and downtowns into destinations for shopping and entertainment, which help local businesses and the “Main Street” economy. Families that can walk and bicycle to school, work, shopping, and transit also have an easier time meeting their bottom-line transportation costs. These projects also lay an important foundation to address some of our state’s major crises—including physical inactivity and obesity, energy and oil dependence, and greenhouse gas emissions.

I look forward to hearing back from you on this important matter.

Sincerely,

**Your Name**