MPO-Attributable Federal Funding
Region 1 Planning Council (R1), the federally-designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Rockford Urban and Metropolitan Area, invites public comment on the preliminary list of transportation infrastructure projects to be awarded Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG), Transportation Alternative Program (TAP), and Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) federal funding.
The list of proposed projects is available at the link below
FY 26 Preliminary List of Attributed Funding
Public comments may be submitted by email, telephone, or mailed to Director of Planning, 127 N Wyman St., Suite 100, Rockford, IL 61101 | Phone: 815-319-4180 | Email: info@r1planning.org
All comments must be submitted no later than 4:30 on Friday, February 27.
After public comment closes, the MPO Technical Committee will review all comments received and discuss changes to the preliminary project recommendations.
About MPO-Attributable Federal Funding
Surface Transportation Block Grant
The Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) provides flexible funding for a wide variety of projects, including highways and transit. Surface Transportation Block Grant funds are the most versatile and may be used for any project that is recommended in or consistent with the R1 Metropolitan Transportation Plan.
Funds can be used on any federal-aid roadway classified above a local road or a rural minor collector and bridge projects on any public road.
Eligible projects can include:
- Highway projects and bridge improvements (construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, resurfacing, restoration, and operational)
- Transportation system management
- Public transit capital improvement projects
- Commuter rail
- Carpooling
- Bus terminals and facilities
- Bikeways
- Pedestrian facilities.
Transportation Alternative Program
The goal of the Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) is to allocate resources to well-planned smaller scale, but critically important projects that provide and support connected alternate modes of transportation that are safe for all users, enhance the transportation system through preservation of visual and cultural resources, and improve the quality of life for members of the communities impacted.
Projects must enhance the transportation system by serving a transportation need or providing a transportation linkage, use, or benefit. Each project or activity must demonstrate a relationship to surface transportation. Project categories include:
- Pedestrian/bicycle facilities (on-road and off-road) or sidewalks
- Conversion of abandoned railroad corridors to trails
- Streetscapes (stand-alone landscape projects are ineligible)
- Historic preservation and rehabilitation of historic transportation facilities
- Vegetation management in transportation rights-of-way
- Archaeological activities relating to transportation project implementation
- Storm water management, control and water pollution prevention or abatement related to highway construction or due to highway runoff
- Reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality or restore and maintain connectivity among terrestrial or aquatic habitats
- Turnout, overlook, and viewing area construction
Carbon Reduction Program
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) establishes the Carbon Reduction Program (CRP), which provides funding to projects and programs that reduce transportation emissions. Funding can be used for a wide range of projects that support this goal, including:
- Operational projects that improve traffic flow, such as the construction of roundabouts, left-turn lanes or other managed lanes
- Intelligent Transportation Systems
- Traffic control measures such as traffic signal coordination, intersection improvements, and incident management
- Bicycle and pedestrian facility construction
- Alternative travel mode promotion, including ridesharing
- Acquisition, installation, or operation of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure or hydrogen, natural gas, or propane vehicle fueling infrastructure
- Bus rapid transit corridor or dedicated bus lane construction
- Public transportation facilities or equipment purchases