CCRPC opens FY2026 UPWP solicitation, seeks TAC volunteers and highlights grant opportunities

Marshall Distel (CCRPC) told the Transportation Advisory Committee on Nov. 5 that the CCRPC will release materials for the FY2026 Unified Planning Work Program solicitation on Nov. 22 and that project requests are due Jan. 17, 2025. Distel asked for two TAC volunteers for the UPWP Committee and Joe Segale volunteered during the meeting.

CCRPC staff also reported project updates. Sai Sarepalli described the Regional Safety Action Plan, which will include safety recommendations for all modes and serve as a resource for federal funding applications; he invited TAC members to join 3–4 working-group meetings and said staff would follow up with volunteers. The CCRPC Board report noted a Green Mountain Transit presentation on potential service changes, a vote to warn a public hearing on the FY25–28 Transportation Improvement Program and approval of a municipal dues increase.

Chair and members' items included reminders about funding opportunities: VTrans’ Better Roads Grant Program for municipal road projects that improve water quality; the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) with about $4.3 million available for SFY 2025; the Municipal Highway and Stormwater Mitigation Program (MHSMP) with approximately $1.5 million available; and FHWA’s PROTECT program (cited as $1.4 billion in contract authority across FY22–FY26). Staff also pointed TAC members to USDOT discretionary grant resources and a Dec. 13 CCRPC workshop on signal improvements on Route 7 in Shelburne.

Administrative notes: CCRPC staff said UPWP materials will be posted on Nov. 22 to the CCRPC website and that staff are available to meet with municipal staff to discuss projects. The next TAC meeting is scheduled for Dec. 3; the Nov. 5 meeting adjourned at 10:11 a.m.