In November 2021, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), a five-year act which is estimated to bring $5.433 billion in federal-aid highway program funding to Washington state. In addition to the reauthorization of several surface
transportation programs, IIJA creates four new federal-aid highway programs and represents $1.7 billion more in federal-aid funding than was included in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. Traditionally, Washington has split
federal-aid programs between state and local governments. Following the passage of MAP-21 in 2012 and the FAST Act in 2015, the Governor’s Office
convened an advisory group comprised of legislators, local government representatives (including AWC), and tribal leaders, to discuss recommendations made to the Governor on state-local splits. While the Governor’s Office has typically convened
this advisory group, the role of convener was transitioned over to the Joint Transportation Committee (JTC) in the 2022 supplemental transportation budget.
In addition to the House and Senate Transportation Chairs and Ranking members (Sen. Marko Liias, D-Edmonds; Rep. Jake Fey, D-Tacoma; Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima; and Rep. Andrew Barkis, R-Olympia), other workgroup participants included:
- AWC: AWC President Rob Putaansuu, Mayor, Port Orchard
- WSAC: Councilmember Ryan Mello, Pierce County
- Metropolitan Planning Organizations/Puget Sound Regional Council: Mayor Cassie Franklin, Everett
- Regional Transportation Planning Organizations/Spokane Regional Transportation Council: Mayor Kevin Freeman, Millwood
- State Transit Association: Executive Director Justin Leighton
- Washington Public Ports Association: Commissioner Michael Fredrickson, Port of Walla Walla
- Tribes: Suquamish Tribal Chair Leonard Forsman
- WSDOT: Secretary Roger Millar
- Governor’s Office: Senior Policy Advisor Debbie Driver
- Office of Financial Management: Senior Budget Analyst Erik Hansen
As part the Move Ahead Washington transportation package, the Legislature retained the agreed-upon FAST Act splits on all legacy programs (i.e., National Highway Freight Program,
Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (and STBG set-aside), National Highway Performance Program,
Highway Safety Improvement Plan, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program, Metropolitan
Program, and Statewide Planning and Research Program). However, for FFY 22-23, Move Ahead either assumed all funds for the state or provided the federally required minimum sub-allocation
to locals for the four new federal-aid highway programs (Bridge Formula Program, National Electric Vehicle Program,
Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Savings Transportation Program (PROTECT), and Carbon Reduction Program).
Given that Move Ahead assumed funding for the first two years of IIJA, negotiations focused on the last three years of the act.
The workgroup met a total of three times between June and July. During these meetings, representatives of local agencies (cities, counties, ports, metropolitan planning organizations, and regional transportation planning organizations) coordinated a coalition
focused on seven key requests:
- Bridge Formula Program
In years three through five of IIJA, direct 61% of the Bridge Formula program to the WSDOT Local Bridge Program. Additionally, increase the funding cap from $15 million to $25 million. - Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Program
In years three through five, direct 100% of the PROTECT funds (or equivalent state funds) to the Brian
Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board. - National Highway Freight Program
Allocate $20 million of the previously reserved state portion of NHFP to a state/local truck parking collaborative, designed to begin addressing opportunities outlined in the Truck Parking Action Plan completed by the JTC earlier in 2022. - Surface Transportation Block Grant Program
Unlike the other legacy formula funds, Move Ahead WA dropped the state/local split for this program to 71% (local) 29% (state) without input from locals. Restore the local share to 79%,
honoring the agreement made for the FAST Act funds. - National Highway Performance Program
In years three through five of the IIJA, award 15% of NHPP funds to local jurisdictions, with a commitment to an ongoing dialogue to revisit appropriate fund splits to support local preservation
and maintenance needs. - Pilot Federal Fund Exchange Program
Establish a pilot federal fund exchange program to support locals in benefitting from federal funding. This request aligns with the recommendations put forward in both the JTC’s City
and County Transportation Funding Needs assessments to help jurisdictions defederalize projects and deliver them in a more efficient fashion. - Federal Competitive Grant Funding
Champion and discuss unique and mutually beneficial ways both state and locals can participate in and advocate for federal competitive transportation funding. Allowing a portion
of formula funding to be dedicated, when applicable, to federal competitive grant applications or Congressionally Directed Spending would result in more federal funding for Washington state.
Read the advisory group’s full letter to the JTC Executive Committee here.
After receiving the advisory group’s proposal, the JTC Executive Committee agreed to the following:
- Bridge Formula Program
In years three through five, 45% of funds will be directed to the state and 55% will be directed to locals. Additionally, the Local Bridge Program cap will be increased to $25 million. Finally, consideration
will be given to direct funding to TIB and CRAB to provide technical assistance/support to locals navigating the federal process. - Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Program
The JTC agreed to the proposal submitted by locals with the exception of $25 million set aside for
Tribes. - National Highway Freight Program
While the JTC agreed in principal to fund truck parking, no specific amount was identified. Additionally, the committee recommended using state dollars for this purpose, rather than NHFP funds.
- Surface Transportation Block Grant Program
The JTC agreed to restore the 79% (local) 21% (state) split for years three through five of IIJA. However, after this period, the split will revert to 71% (local) 29% (state). Accordingly,
adjusting these funds to FAST Act levels will result in a $150 million revenue gap in the Move Ahead package. - National Highway Performance Program
No agreement was reached. - Pilot Federal Fund Exchange Program
The JTC agreed to establish a pilot project with administrative costs for WSDOT. - Federal Competitive Grant Funding
The JTC agreed to establish a workgroup via existing MPO/RTPO process to maximize efforts around federal competitive funds.
Finally, the JTC agreed to hold negotiated splits constant in the event a continuing resolution is passed at the federal level. This group would then reconvene to negotiate new splits in year six and beyond.
A final memo from the Executive Committee outlining these agreements is expected in mid-August, and will be provided to WSDOT and the Governor’s Office. AWC will share the memo with the membership once it becomes available.