Posting Language
Title
Approve a resolution authorizing the submittal of potential transportation projects as candidates for the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization 2028-2031 Surface Transportation Block Grant, Transportation Alternative Set-Aside and Carbon Reduction Program Call for Projects. Funding: This item has no fiscal impact. If awarded, the City will be required to contribute 20 percent in matching funds. In that event, staff will return to Council in 2026 to seek authorization to accept and appropriate federal funds and identify the funding source for the matching funds.
De
Lead Department
Austin Transportation and Public Works
Fiscal Note
This item has no fiscal impact. If awarded, the City will be required to contribute 20 percent in matching funds. In that event, staff will return to Council in 2026 to seek authorization to accept and appropriate federal funds and identify the funding source for the matching funds.
Prior Council Action:
December 12, 2024 - Council approved Resolution No. 20241212-057, authorizing the submission of City projects for the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organizations 2026-2029 Call for Projects.
For More Information:
Richard Mendoza, Director, 512-974-2488; Upal Barua, Assistant Director, 512-974-7110; Cole Kitten, Division Manager, 512-974-6442; Gilda Powers, Quality Consultant, 512-974-7092.
Additional Backup Information:
Austin Transportation and Public Works intends to submit grant applications to the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) through the 2028-2031 Call for Projects for federal funding from the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG), Transportation Alternative Set-Aside (TASA), and Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funding programs.
The STBG program supports a wide range of transportation improvements including roadway reconstruction, safety projects, and planning or engineering activities that improve the efficiency of the regional transportation network.
The TASA program includes funding specifically for smaller-scale transportation projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, urban trails, and other community improvements that enhance safety and accessibility for non-motorized users.
CRP is a new funding program established through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It provides funding for projects designed to reduce transportation-related carbon emissions. Eligible CRP projects include Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) infrastructure, transit improvements, and other activities that overlap with TASA eligibility.
This funding opportunity will allocate approximately $330,000,000 (STBG), $40,000,000 (TASA), and $13,500,000 (CRP) to entities within the six-county CAMPO region through a competitive call for projects. Staff proposes to submit projects that advance the City’s mobility and climate goals in alignment with the requirements of these funding programs. Candidate projects, organized by project type, include roadway projects predominately serving vehicular traffic and include new roadways, expanded roadways, substandard streets, and access management projects. These types of projects are found in the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan Roadway Capacity Plan, also adopted in the Street Impact Fee Study, and were included in the CAMPO 2050 Regional Transportation Plan if considered regionally significant.
Active Transportation projects provide non-motorized travel facilities and programs that allow and encourage travel through physical activity such as walking and bicycling. These types of projects are found in the Urban Trails Plan, Bicycle Plan, Sidewalks, Crossings, and Shared Streets Plan and Austin Strategic Mobility Plan Amendments adopted by City Council on November 30, 2023, and Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Reports. Additionally, bicycle and pedestrian projects on roadways of regional significance that were included in the CAMPO 2050 Regional Transportation Plan are eligible projects.
Transit projects are infrastructure projects, transportation programs, and other services that provide transportation to the public. These types of projects are found in the Transit Enhancement Infrastructure Report developed by the City in partnership with the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro) and include small-scale infrastructure projects to improve transit speed, reliability, safety and improved access to transit.
ITS/Operations projects are technology and operational programs that improve the functionality of existing transportation systems. These types of projects include traffic signals and advanced traffic management system infrastructure.
Applications are due by 5:00 P.M. CST on January 30, 2026. Projects are anticipated to be awarded by the CAMPO Transportation Policy Board on June 8, 2026.
If awarded, the City will be required to contribute 20 percent in matching funds. In that event, staff will return to Council in 2026 to seek authorization to accept and appropriate federal funds and identify the funding source for the matching funds.