New Project Scoring possibly Revised: At the MPO

The Policy Committee for our Metropolitan Planning Organization meets tomorrow, Tuesday the 28th.

NY Times earlier this month on LA fires

It was a little disappointing to see the technical committee earlier this month with a move to invite the Policy Committee to adopt a scoring rubric "scaled back" from a staff recommendation for stronger weighting on safety, transit, filling in gaps, and greenhouse gas reduction.

The proposal earlier this month

Public comment was overwhelmingly in favor of stronger consideration for these factors, and the technical committee seemingly suggests watering them down.

The TAC "invites" consideration of a "scaled back" option

A reduction in weighting factors may or may not be effectively significant, but as a matter of symbolism and statement of value it is disappointing for sure.

Washington Post earlier this month on snow

Not on the agenda, but a real subtext and something affecting the MPO and local governments at least indirectly is Federal action pausing some street, road, and highway funding. On the one hand it could slow or halt some of ODOT's wild highway expansion, but could also affect smaller kinds of projects.

Separately, USDOT is reverting the RAISE grant program (McGilchrist redesign and Front Street study) back to the more autoist BUILD program, and deleting criteria on climate, non-auto travel, and safety. 

So there will be trickle-down effects in dollars, priorities, and values, and local governments may reshape projects in order to be more competitive under new criteria. ODOT has an update here.

Interesting as a footnote, Turner has elected as mayor a former Democratic legislator whose campaign website appeared to signal a change in party with the phrase "keep Turner great." Though Turner is a small part of the MPO, he could be a loud figure and affect committee dynamics. This may be something to watch.

Former Salem Councilor Phillips is no longer on the PC also, and Councilor Varney will take his place. At some point, once the Aumsville addition is finalized, Salem should get a second member also.

The MPO meets at noon on Tuesday the 28th. Meeting information and the agenda and packet are here.