Deadline Approaching For Cities To Apply For ODOT Grants

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is offering a grant program which would allow communities or governmental agencies to get funding for different kinds of projects. The projects would focus on things like new sidewalks, bicycle trails, pedestrian trails, safe routes for non-drivers and converting abandoned railroad tracks into new trails, among others.

TJ Gerlach, ODOT's public information officer said that this grant is out there to so that communities can improve the lives of its citizens.

"Every time we’re able to help cities and communities offer a new trail or a new sidewalk or something to improve lives of the people who may not be in a vehicle, we’re very excited to be able to offer these opportunities to people so they can improve the lives of their citizens,” Gerlach said.

Cities, counties, governmental agencies, and even schools and non-profits can all apply for the grant. The amount of funding any group receives depends on its sixe, and there are four categories that communities can fall into based on their size. These include populations below 5,000 people, populations between 5,001 and 50,000, populations between 50,001 and 200,000, and populations above 200,000.

Each group that is approved for the grant would be required to match some of the funding. For example, groups with the smallest population would be required to match about 10% of the funding they receive.

The application deadline is September 30, and ODOT will likely announce which projects are awarded the grant money in April.