Virginia DOT evaluating project submissions through data-driven SMART SCALE program

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is accepting transportation project submittals from localities and regional organizations for evaluation for funding under the state’s SMART SCALE program beginning today and extending to September 30.

The SMART SCALE system prioritizes transportation projects based on need using an data-driven analysis. It stands for System for the Management and Allocation of Resources for Transportation. VDOT says evaluations look at improvements to safety, congestion reduction, accessibility, land use, economic development and the environment.

“Localities and regional entities are encouraged to get their applications in this round as the next round will not be held until 2018 and applications will be taken once every two years moving forward,” VDOT says. “The amount of funding available for the second round is expected to be less than what was available in the first round of SMART SCALE.“

The agency will hold public meetings across the state this fall to get feedback on the projects, followed by additional meetings in the spring of 2017 after the SMART SCALE scores are made available in January. The Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board makes the final decision on the projects to be added to the state’s six-year project program. Projects are fully funded through construction once they are included in the program.

Project applications can be submitted at www.smartscale.org.

The SMART SCALE program recently was awarded the State Transformation in Action Recognition (START) award from the Southern Legislative Conference (SLC) of the Council of State Governments.