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Great Streets Program

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Improving State Highway Main Streets and Corridors for All Users

Great Streets is a funding program that addresses multiple needs within a single project to create more complete streets. It is accountable for improving outcomes including safety, equity, climate and more. The program focuses on state highways that operate as main streets and other state highway corridors where the top priority multimodal transportation needs intersect.  

An individual project may fill a sidewalk gap, make intersection improvements, add a drainage to better withstand extreme weather, and address critical safety needs.    

Funding

The Great Streets program was first funded in 2022 and continued through the 2024-2027 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) at a total of $50 million. In 2023, the Oregon Legislature added $1 million to the program.

Given the popularity and success of the Great Streets program, it was continued in the 2027-2030 STIP. Funds increased to $70 million for those years. Potential investment locations have been identified and projects are being developed. Projects will be selected in early 2025.

While the program is primarily federally funded, State Highway Funds can also be used for Great Streets projects. 

Project identification and selection

ODOT identifies and selects projects for Great Streets funding. Projects must have community support to be funded. Both eligibility and scoring criteria are applied to identify top priority projects. Criteria differed between the first round of Great Streets (2024-2027 STIP) and Great Streets 2.0 (2027-2030 STIP). 

The first iteration of the program focused on state highways serving as main streets. Investments targeted safer and more accessible bikeways, walkways and transit. Three projects were selected. 

​This project extends the sidewalk upgrades and protected bike lanes to connect to the north-south bicycle network on N Denver; replaces an existing right turn “slip lane” with green stormwater treatment areas and a pedestrian plaza; and improves intersection safety and timing.​

​This project adds high-visibility crosswalks, new sidewalks and bike lanes on W Chocktoot Street; adds a multiuse path and stormwater treatment swales along Chiloquin Boulevard; realigns intersections for improved safety and visibility; and partners with the city to install pedestrian scale lighting, street trees, street furniture, art, and gateway treatments. This project leverages a federal grant to incorporate climate-friendly construction techniques and methods.​​

​New transit shelters and accessible bus stop features, sidewalk infill, two new crossings, and a continues bike lane will be constructed in conjunction with intersection upgrades already approved for Safe Routes to School funding.​​


Great Streets 2.0 evolves the program to focus on strategic investments, advancing outcomes, and leveraging other investments.

  • Strategic Investments: in order to get the best bang for the buck, Great Streets 2.0 narrowed in on areas with the highest overlapping needs. Data layers were combined for safety, equity, active transportation, climate, seismic, operations, freight and more. Geographic locations were then identified that glow ‘hot,' where multiple high-priority needs overlap. These were the basis for identifying potential investment locations. 
  • Advancing Outcomes: Geographic locations that aligned with safety, climate, or equity goals were pinpointed. Only projects that advance one or more of these goals were selected to move forward to scoping. 
  • Leverage: projects moving forward also needed to be paired with an existing or planned investment. This cut overall costs by combining projects instead of having multiple independent projects each with mobilization and other costs. By leveraging we are working to stretch limited dollars. 

Potential Great Streets 2.0 investments are currently being scoped and projects will be identified in early 2025 for inclusion in the STIP.  
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Future Great Streets

ODOT started the Great Streets program as a proof-of-concept. It has been extremely successful and should be funded in the future. There is no dedicated funding source. Any additional funds would be of value. With more money the program can scale up to better address all high-priority needs that cannot be afforded today. These may include roundabouts, drainages, paving and more.

Contact

For all Great Street related questions:
Email Great Streets

Information

  Fact Sheet