Technical advisory committee approves staff allocations for STP, TAP, CMAC and CRP projects

SALT LAKE AREA — The TransCom Technical Advisory Committee voted to approve Wasatch Front staff recommendations to allocate limited federal transportation funds across the Surface Transportation Program (STP), Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), Community Mobility and Access Component (CMAC) and Carbon Reduction Program (CRP).

Staff told the committee there were 77 requests (56 unique projects) submitted this cycle with a combined estimated project cost of about $621 million; applicants asked for roughly $235 million in federal funds while STP alone has about $39.66 million available, forcing tight prioritization. “There were 77 total requests, 56 of those are unique projects,” a Wasatch Front staff member, Ben, said as he reviewed program totals and eligibility.

Why it matters: The committee’s endorsement programs projects that will enter the region’s TIP process and positions specific pedestrian, bicycle, roadway and transit improvements to advance toward design, environmental review and construction. Several projects received partial funding recommendations that staff said reflect both technical scores and professional field reviews.

What was approved: Committee members approved staff-recommended programming for each fund source. Highlights from staff recommendations that the committee approved include: programming STP funds toward selected reconstruction and complete-streets projects across jurisdictions (examples cited by staff included funding suggestions for Sandy’s 7th East/Size Road and Wakara Road reconstruction in Salt Lake City), TAP allocations that funded multiuse-path and bridge projects (example: Midvale Bingham Junction bicycle/pedestrian improvements), CMAC recommendations supporting bike-share expansion and pedestrian crossings, and CRP recommendations focused on lower-emission operations and active-transportation projects (examples: partial funding for green bike expansion and vanpool expansion).

On scoring and priorities: Fariba, a Wasatch Front staff member who led the CRP discussion, told the committee CRP rankings were driven by emissions reductions relative to cost: “These projects were scored based on how effectively they’re reducing the emissions and…those with greatest emission reduction and lower cost ranked higher,” she said. Staff also emphasized field reviews and interagency input (UDOT, Federal Highway, UTA) as part of professional consideration beyond raw scores.

Motions and votes: Committee members moved and seconded approval of the staff recommendations for each program. The TAP recommendations were moved by Matthew Castle (Riverton) and seconded by John Miller (Mil Creek). Britney Ward (Sandy City) moved to approve CMAC recommendations and Chris Norm (Salt Lake City) seconded. Chris Whistlac (Murray City) moved to approve CRP recommendations and a representative from Cottonwood Heights seconded. Chairs announced each motion passed unanimously; the transcript records voice votes but does not include a roll-call tally of individual member votes.

Funding context and next steps: Staff noted that programmed suggestions slightly exceeded what is currently available in some programs but said funds will not be drawn until several years (staff cited a six-year horizon for some STP funds), and they expect potential additional federal funding or savings on other projects to cover the gaps. Projects approved for programming will proceed through TIP programming and sponsor-led next steps such as final design and environmental review.

Other business: The committee deferred approval of minutes to its May meeting. Staff announced the next TAC meeting is scheduled for May 27 in South Salt Lake; Holly Pearson is expected to introduce herself to the committee at that meeting.

The meeting adjourned after committee votes and brief announcements.