Funding & Grants

A portion of federal transportation funding is allocated at MORPC’s discretion, following an application and selection process. We call these funds MORPC-attributable funds. We work closely with local agencies to prioritize the use of these funds to meet their needs and those of the entire region. They can be used for roads and bridges, public transit, bikeways, sidewalks, and a variety of other activities. The funds come from three federal programs: the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG), the Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) and the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP).

We manage this program under the oversight of our Attributable Funds Committee (AFC). We solicit and evaluate applications for funding from local public agencies every two years. Because of the time it takes to plan, study and design these projects, we try to keep most of the next four years’ worth of funding lined up for projects already in the pipeline.

More information can be viewed on the MORPC-attributable Funding for Transportation webpage.

Questions can be directed to Nathaniel Vogt at 614.233.4183.

The 5310 program we administer provides capital and operating grants for public transportation services in order to meet the needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities in the Columbus urbanized area. Those eligible for funding include private non-profit organizations, state and local governments, and operators of public transportation services.

This program provides federal funds for:

• 80 percent of the cost of capital projects requiring a 20 percent match
• 50 percent federal funds requiring a 50 percent match for operating projects

More information on Section 5310 funding, the coordinated plans, and the most current application cycle is available on MORPC’s Enhanced Mobility webpage.

Questions about the program can be directed to Mike Borger at 614.233.4155.

The Ohio Department of Transportation’s Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) assists in developing a selection process for ODOT’s largest transportation project investments. As part of the selection process ODOT requests that metropolitan planning organizations like MORPC provide local input by prioritizing the applications for projects that fall within our transportation planning boundaries.

2019 TRAC Projects

Eight projects from our transportation-planning area were submitted to TRAC during the 2019 application cycle. Known as “major new” projects, these transportation projects have a total project cost greater than $12 million and add capacity to the transportation system. The proposed projects are located in Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, and Union counties.

To learn more about the TRAC project applications, please review the following one-page fact sheets:

• Big Walnut Interchange
• Delaware Point: US 36/SR 37
• Far East Freeway: Phase 1
• Far East Freeway: Phases 2 & 3
• I-270 and US 23 Interchange
• I-71 Northbound: Stringtown Road to I-270
• US 33 at Pickerington/Allen
• US 33/SR 161 at Post Road

TRAC received 27 applications from across the state for development or construction of transportation projects totaling nearly $925 million. MORPC’s priorities were presented to TRAC at a public hearing in September 2019, and TRAC approved its final funding list in November 2019.

The final list of funded projects includes: I-71 between Stringtown Road and I-270 in Franklin County; Phase 1 of the Far East Freeway in Franklin County; U.S. 36 and SR-37 in Delaware County; and the U.S. 33 and SR-161 Interchange in Union County.

The Big Walnut Interchange also remains on the list, but without a funding commitment.

For further questions, contact Dina López at 614.233.4149.

The Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) provides financing for local public infrastructure improvements through both the State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP) and the Local Transportation Improvement Program (LTIP). SCIP is a grant/loan program for roads, bridges, water supply, wastewater treatment, storm water collection, and solid waste disposal. LTIP is a grant program for roads and bridges only.

Under the oversight of the Public Works Integrating Committee, we provide administrative support for Franklin County projects by processing and reviewing grant and loan requests before submitting them to the OPWC for approval.

For more information on the application process, please visit our SCIP/LTIP webpage.

The state’s Clean Ohio Fund restores, protects, and connects Ohio’s natural and urban places by preserving green space and farmland, improving outdoor recreation, and cleaning up brownfields to encourage redevelopment and revitalize communities. Each of the four programs that compose the fund has a specific funding focus, as well as different guidelines and contact information.

The Clean Ohio Conservation Fund helps communities acquire green space and protect and enhance rivers and streams. The Ohio Public Works Commission administers the program statewide. We administer the application and selection process for conservation projects in Franklin County. For more information, please visit our Clean Ohio Conservation Fund webpage.

ODOT Highway Safety Improvement Program

Ohio Traffic Safety Grant Program

County Highway Safety Improvement Program HSIP

Rail Crossing Programs

Ohio EPA Office of Environmental Education Grants

Ohio EPA Recycling and Letter Prevention Grants

SWACO Waste Reduction Grants

For more information, contact Brandi Whetstone at 614.233.4174.