Smart Scale is Virginia’s prioritization process to fund the right projects based on a data-driven and objective system
Localities and regional entities such as metropolitan planning organizations can submit project applications under the Smart Scale Program (formerly House Bill 2) from August 1 to September 30 this year. This marks the second round of applications in preparation for next fiscal year’s update of the Six-Year Improvement Program.
Localities and regional bodies are encouraged to get their applications in this round because the next round will not be held until 2018, and applications will be taken once every two years from that point.
The amount of funding available for the second round is expected to be less than what was available in this fiscal year’s six-year program. Projects will compete for funding available in the outer years of the six-year program, fiscal years 2022 and 2023.
Once the application period closes, the commonwealth will validate and screen the applications to see if they qualify under the Smart Scale program. Fall public meetings will be held across the state to get feedback on the submitted projects and again in the spring once the scores are released.
Eligible projects will be scored and the results presented to the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) in early 2017. The CTB will make the final decision on which projects to advance and include in the six-year-program. Once projects are in the program, they will be fully funded through construction.
Localities apply online on smartscale.org.
VACo Contact: Larry Land, CAE