Wasatch Front TAC approves TIP funding priorities, shifts small carbon‑reduction allocation to complete Weber County pedestrian project

The Ogden‑Layton technical advisory committee for Transcom on March 26 recommended a slate of projects for the regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and approved a committee motion that redirected a small portion of Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funding to complete a Weber County pedestrian project.

Committee members and Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC) staff presented staff evaluations of projects submitted to the region’s CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality), Carbon Reduction Program, TAP (Transportation Alternatives Program) and STP (Surface Transportation Program) solicitations, then took separate votes to adopt the recommended lists with a single midstream funding adjustment.

WFRC staff said the TIP request pool greatly exceeded available funds: project sponsors asked for roughly $174,000,000 in total project cost and about $84,000,000 in federal requests while the combined available funds across the programs in the Ogden‑Layton area were roughly $16,000,000. The committee heard that specific program balances on the day of the meeting included about $1.5 million available in CRP and $4.0 million in CMAQ, and roughly $1.2 million for TAP and $9.3 million for STP in the Ogden‑Layton area.

During discussion of the CMAQ and CRP recommendations, a committee member proposed shifting $395,653 from a UTA vanpool capital request in CRP toward Weber County’s Ninth South pedestrian project so that Weber would reach full funding. The motion (mover not recorded in the transcript) was seconded by Karen Baxter (City of North Salt Lake) and passed after voice vote; meeting minutes record some opposition but the motion carried.

The committee then voted to adopt staff recommendations for the TAP projects (motion moved by Ashley, Weber County; seconded by Glenn, Harrisville), and later adopted staff recommendations for the STP slate (motion moved by Kevin, Centerville; seconded by Paul Larson). The committee also approved the Feb. 26 meeting minutes (motion by Ashley, Weber County; second by Daniel, Ogden City).

Staff emphasized that many projects were only partially funded and encouraged sponsors to pursue complementary local or county funds, to bundle work where feasible, and to use non‑federal dollars for initial design work to avoid prematurely federalizing entire projects.

Votes at a glance - Approval of Feb. 26 meeting minutes — Motion: approve minutes; mover: Ashley (Weber County); second: Daniel (Ogden City); outcome: approved. - CMAQ/CRP adjustment — Motion: adopt staff recommendations for CMAQ and partially adjust CRP to add $395,653 to Weber County Ninth South pedestrian project by reducing CRP support for the UTA vanpool capital request; mover: unnamed member (per transcript); second: Karen Baxter (City of North Salt Lake); outcome: passed (voice vote; some opposed reported in transcript). - TAP projects — Motion: approve TAP project list as recommended by staff; mover: Ashley (Weber County); second: Glenn (Harrisville); outcome: passed (voice vote). - STP projects — Motion: accept staff recommendation for STP program; mover: Kevin (Centerville); second: Paul Larson; outcome: passed (voice vote).

WFRC staff and project sponsors noted next steps. Sponsors of partially funded projects were advised they may reapply in future WFRC cycles and pursue county corridor preservation or other local match funds to bridge shortfalls. The committee scheduled its next meeting for May 28 and adjourned.

"We have a lot of good projects, but not a lot of money," a WFRC staffer told the committee as the group reviewed scoring and field‑review notes. "We want to spread the opportunity and seed pots so we can utilize all transportation funds and accomplish the bigger picture."