Join Leafline Trails Coalition in asking leaders in Washington, D.C. to prioritize federal funding for trail connections. Active transportation is the cornerstone of an integrated mobility network, and multiple signature projects are ready for investment today in King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. By focusing on connections between communities, underserved communities, and critical trail gaps, federal infrastructure investments can connect the 450 miles of wide, mostly paved, shared-use trails in our region!
Building east-west and north-south spines is essential to unlock active transportation access through an interconnected network. Now is the time to prioritize trails in transportation authorization, COVID-19 recovery, and member designated projects. To demonstrate the broad community support for trails, we welcome elected leaders, government agencies, community organizations, businesses, and nonprofits to sign a joint letter:
Thank you to Governor Inslee for recognizing in a recent letter to the congressional delegation that, “Significant investment in active transportation is needed to address health, equity, and critical safety concerns when biking or walking…Expanding and connecting trail networks such as The Leafline network in central Puget Sound…would enhance mobility and put people to work quickly across the state.”
For trail managers who want to learn more about earmarks and other federal funding opportunities for trails across central Puget Sound, here are some great resources:
- Member designated projects (earmarks) have returned! Members will be submitting projects April1-23; each member likely has $10-20M to allocate depending on number and type of projects. Funding would come in FY22. Project should be in TIP or STIP (if not, MPO should write a letter stating it would be added). Here are full instructions for submission to the House T&I Committee.
- American Trails how-to on earmark requests.
- Rails-to-Trails Conservancy FAQ on earmarks.
- The notice of funding opportunity for BUILD Grants, formerly TIGER, will be released by the end of April 2021, with applications likely due in June. (See FAQs from 2020 round). Expect to see more focus on equity, climate, and reconnecting communities impacted by poor transportation planning in the 2021 criteria.
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