Local revitalization financing project application now online

On August 18 the Department of Revenue activated an online application that cities and counties must use to apply, on a first-come, first-served basis, for $2.5 million in state money to help finance Local Revitalization Financing (LRF) projects.

While local governments can begin filling out applications, they will not be able to press the submit button until 9 a.m. on September 1. The Department will then accept completed applications in the order received.

SSB 5045 authorizes cities and counties to create revitalization areas for local public improvements and allows the state to contribute toward the bond payments. The maximum individual grant is $500,000 per year for up to 25 years. That means the $2.5 million available could finance as few as five projects, depending on the size of the requests. The first-come, first-served provision is in the law. The application form is available here.

The legislation also provided another $2.25 million annually to seven demonstration projects in Bremerton, Auburn, University Place, Spokane, Whitman County, Tacoma, and Vancouver.

For more information, contact program administrator James Petit at (360) 902-7037 or jamep@dor.wa.gov.

Freight & Goods Transportation System update now underway

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Highways & Local Programs Division and AWC are assisting in the biennial update of the state’s Freight & Goods Transportation System (FGTS), a database of the state’s strategic freight corridors, including highways, county roads, and city streets.

WSDOT is soliciting freight data on the city system as part of its overall effort to comply with both state and federal reporting requirements. In addition, the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board has used this data as a factor in determining which routes are eligible for funding.

Routes are classified according to the amount of freight they carry each year. The tonnage designations are:

T-1 more than 10 million tons per year
T-2 4 million to 10 million tons per year
T-3 300,000 to 4 million tons per year
T-4 100,000 to 300,000 tons per year
T-5 at least 20,000 tons in 60 days

WSDOT/AWC Request

Please review your jurisdiction’s information for accuracy, which identifies known T-1 and T-2 routes for cities. Please note any changes that need to be made by identifying and/or changing the “T” classification for any streets resulting from increases or decreases to the tonnages carried, or additions or deletions of streets identified in the FGTS. We are also seeking freight information on routes that will be classified as T-3, T-4, and T-5.

In addition to the FGTS classifications, we are asking for additional information in this update of the FGTS:

Location of freight generators in your city (name/facility type/address
Data to support generator classification

This information will help verify the roadway classifications and ensure accurate classifications are presented to FMSIB and WSDOT for official adoption. It will also help us determine locations that need additional truck counts and potential funding of additional counts. All of this information will be incorporated in the state's strategic investment plan for freight transportation, the statewide multimodal plan, and the highway system plan. By taking the time to provide this information, you help build the case for strategic priorities and investment needs in the freight system.

This year, all of the information can be found on-line at: http://eefmapps.wsdot.wa.gov/fmi/iwp/res/iwp_auth.html.

If you are having difficulty with the on-line database, please contact Paula Reeves, WSDOT Highways & Local Programs, at 360-705-7258 or reevesp@wsdot.wa.gov. She can then provide you with an Excel version of your information.

We greatly appreciate your cooperation and timely response for this update. WSDOT requests that any revisions you may have be returned by August 28, 2009.

[ previous article ] [ return to top ] [ next article ]