Metropolitan Council approves release of 2026 regional transportation solicitations, orders review before 2028

The Metropolitan Council voted April 22 to release the 2026 regional solicitation, the active transportation solicitation and the highway safety improvement solicitation while instructing staff to review the round's outcomes before issuing the next call for projects in 2028.

Council Member Tony Carter, who presented business item 2026-68 and moved its approval, described a multi-year process of alignment between the region's Imagine 2050 policy and transportation funding priorities. "A formal public comment period occurred in early 2026," Carter said, noting TAB's recommendation and the extensive stakeholder engagement behind the solicitation. "I move that the Metropolitan Council accept the public comment report and approve the release of the 2026 regional solicitation, active transportation solicitation, and highway safety improvement solicitations." (motion text read into the record.)

The chair said the Council is the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization and thanked Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) members for their time. Citing recent feedback from Dakota and Scott counties, the chair instructed the regional administrator to work with staff to review outcomes from this round prior to issuing funds for the next call for projects in 2028 and to engage TAB about whether the adopted criteria should be adjusted.

Several council members voiced support. Council Member Jenkins, a former TAB participant, defended the board's independence and said she would support the recommendation. "I have faith in the process," she said, adding that the Council can revisit the approach if outcomes warrant changes.

Council Member Wolf, who represents Scott and Dakota Counties, announced he would vote no, saying TAB had missed an opportunity to pursue a compromise and that he was respecting the formal requests of county officials.

Staff confirmed that letters from counties that asked to be included in the record would be added. After a voice vote during which one member said "Nay," the chair announced the motion carries and thanked staff for the multi-year work that produced the solicitation.

What happens next: upon Council approval, a call for projects for the regional solicitation and active transportation solicitation is expected from May 7 to June 25, and Metro Transit staff said they will provide workshops and training for local agencies. The chair's instruction requires staff to report back on outcome reviews before issuing funds for the next solicitation cycle in 2028.

Provenance: topicintro SEG 095; topfinish SEG 556.