Developing transportation projects that Shape the Future: for a safer, more inclusive, and more sustainable transportation system

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One of the most rewarding parts of transportation planning at WATS is helping local agencies secure federal transportation dollars that help build projects we see in our communities. I think about the projects in my community that has received federal funds: the Border to Border Trail, the Baker Road roundabouts, the signal interconnections along Jackson Rd, and the paving work along Miller Rd.

Projects like this are eligible to apply for federal funding through the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP is a 4-year listing of transportation projects, where federal funds are allocated to local projects around Washtenaw County. The TIP has one year that overlaps to ensure that projects that have been approved for federal funding can move forward. For this TIP development, the overlapping year is FY 2023. To see a full list of the approved projects in FY 2023 please click here.

WATS is currently working on a new list of transportation investments for the years 2024-2026. The new TIP development branded as, Shape the Future, kicked off with WATS issuing a call for transportation project applications from eligible transportation agencies. Agencies in Michigan that are eligible to apply for federal funds are cities, villages, transit providers, and the county road agency. 

WATS issued that call for projects in early August and received 74 requests totaling requesting over $48 million in federal transportation needs. WATS staff are now reviewing and scoring projects. There are many factors that are considered when reviewing project requests, here are some of the variables that are scored:

  • Current pavement condition of the roadway

  • Safety data

  • Alignment with WATS Long Range Transportation Plan policies (link)

  • Investment in non-motorized facilities

  • Investment in low and very low opportunity areas (link)

  • Cost benefit analysis

  • Mobility improvement

Once reviewed by the WATS staff, the Federal Aid Committees come together to assist in the development of each year’s list of projects without exceeding the federal funding anticipated budget. The key piece in this part of the development is to ensure that the proposed projects will be able to be built in our communities within the designated time frame.

As part of this process, WATS engages the public to review candidate projects and solicit their comments. WATS also engages stakeholders around the County that represent groups that would want to review the project given their area of expertise, this could include, bicycling and walking, transit riders, senior community, watershed quality, or housing. 

WATS is asking members of the public to review the candidate projects that have been submitted for consideration and submit a comment on the project website. The project list and map can be found at miwats.org/shapethefuture. Comments collected will be shared with the local agencies along with the Technical and Policy Committee members as part of the TIP adoption process.