TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT BOARD

An eligible agency may request the transportation improvement board to consider a project for funding outside of the normal call for projects. To be considered as emergent nature, a project must demonstrate one or more of the following:

(1) There has been a significant change in the location or development of traffic generators in the area of the project.

(2) The work proposed is necessary to avoid or reduce serious traffic congestion in the area of the project in the near future.

(3) A partially funded project that, if completed, would enable a community to secure an unanticipated economic development opportunity.

(4) Other funding sources the local agency has applied for or secured for the project.

(5) ((The funding of the project would not adversely impact currently funded projects.)) The project request is a result of a federal, state, or locally declared emergency and must be funded prior to the normal call for projects.

In meeting one or more of the criteria, the project request may not adversely impact currently funded projects. The agency may be asked to make a presentation to the board on the project.

Up to five percent of total transportation improvement board funds may be retained until the agency submits final, complete, and accurate closeout documentation for a project.

A unilateral closeout of a project may be initiated by the board or executive director when an agency has not responded to requests for final documentation ((and all funds are expended)).

Projects are not eligible to compete for funding within the termini limits of a previously funded project for a period of ten years from contract completion. ((A project that is divided into multiple phases is not considered a previously funded project.))

Eligible projects are:

(1) Improvements on federally classified arterials;

(2) Within a city qualifying for urban designation upon the next federal census as long as the project carries a federal arterial functional classification; or

(3) Within the urban growth area in counties ((which are in full compliance with Washington state's Growth Management Act)).

Any urban street that is not functionally classified at the time of award must obtain federal functional classification prior to approval to expend board funds.

Sidewalks with five feet minimum clear width are required on both sides of the arterial unless a deviation is granted under WAC 479-14-200.

Within the small city arterial program, up to ten percent of the annual allocation may be portioned as an amount available for small cities to match the minimum federal funding ((provided)) match required for local government federal aid ((of)) transportation((, on a first come/first served basis)) projects.

(1) Cities with a population under five thousand may request grant funds to match a federal grant as part of the normal call for projects. The project must ((meet TIB eligibility requirements for the small city arterial program described under WAC 479-14-221. A TIB funding application form must be submitted to apply for federal match funding.)):

Federal match funds are only for transportation projects funded through federal transportation grants. ((All other local funding sources must be sought before applying for federal match funds from TIB.))

The board establishes the following criteria for use in evaluating sidewalk program grant applications for both urban and small city sidewalk projects:

(1) Safety improvement - Projects that address hazard mitigation and accident reduction.

(2) Pedestrian access - Projects that improve or provide access to facilities including:

(a) Schools;

(b) Public buildings;

(c) Central business districts;

(d) Medical facilities;

(e) Activity centers;

(f) High density housing (including senior housing);

(g) Transit facilities;

(((h))) (3) Completes or extends existing sidewalks.

(((3))) (4) Completes or extends sidewalks to facilities listed in subsection (2) of this section that are identified in local agency latecomer agreements. The local agency must agree to collect the latecomer fee at the time of development and place the fee in its transportation improvement program.

(5) Local support - Addresses local needs and is supported by the local community.

(((4))) (6) Sustainability - ((Improves)) Right sizing sidewalk or shared use path width and material type, provides hardscaping and ((appropriate)) native plantings, addresses low impact development or natural drainage practices((, and encourages pervious surface use)).

The sidewalk program provides funding which will be matched by other funds as follows:

(1) The urban sidewalk program ((requires a match of at least twenty percent of total project costs.)) provides funding which will be matched by other funds as follows:

(2) The small city sidewalk program ((matching rates are dependent on the city population)) provides funding which will be matched by other funds as follows:

(a) ((Cities with a population of one thousand and below are not required to provide matching funds.

(b) Cities with a population over one thousand but less than five thousand, require a match of at least five percent of the total project costs.)) If the city assessed valuation is under one hundred million dollars, no cash match is necessary.