Metro awarded $533,000 in grants to support projects that reduce the number of people driving alone to improve air quality and address community health issues. The Regional Travel Options grant selection committee chose projects that reduce car traffic and create more opportunities for walking and bicycling. The committee included community members and representatives from local governments who evaluated potential projects. Federal transportation money to reduce transportation impacts on air quality funded the grants. The following projects were awarded funds:
To ease and green your commute:
- RTO partner agencies, Cash for Commuters incentive program, $60,000
- Lloyd Transportation Management Association, Lloyd Links, $30,000
To reduce transportation barriers in our community:
- Community Cycling Center, Communities in Motion: Increasing Capacity for Active Transportation, $34,086
- Housing Authority of Portland, Regional Work Source, Transportation Mobility Counseling, $60,000
- OPAL Environmental Justice of Oregon, East Portland Community Bus Stop Assessment, $63,000
To help you walk and bike:
- Bicycle Transportation Alliance, Bike Commute Challenge, $27,500
- City of Forest Grove, Forest Grove bicycle parking shelters, $45,000
- City of Tigard, Downtown Tigard walking map and way-finding system, $25,000
- City of Wilsonville/SMART, Wilsonville Sunday Parkways, $53,414
- Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation, trail and way-finding signage, $60,000
In a coordinated effort with public agencies and business organizations, Metro's Regional Travel Options program promotes and supports the transportation choices available in the region to reduce the number of drive alone trips.
Regional Travel Options increases use of travel options and reduces pollution by implementing programs such as Walk There!, Bike There! and CarpoolMatchNW.org. Reducing the number of vehicles on the road cuts vehicle emissions, decreases congestion and promotes a healthier community.