Transfer fhwa CRP and cmaq funding to section 5307 in FY 2025 for the highway 99 bus rapid transit project

The Federal Transit Administration awarded Clark County Public Transportation Benefit Area (C-Tran) $3.239 million on June 2, 2026, under the Federal Transit Formula Grants program (CFDA 20.507) to construct bus rapid transit infrastructure along the Highway 99 corridor in Vancouver, Washington.

The grant funds construction of the Highway 99 Bus Rapid Transit project, which spans approximately 10 miles between downtown Vancouver and the WSU-Vancouver campus. Project activities include construction of 32 new and 4 existing bus rapid transit station platforms, approximately 31 right-of-way acquisitions, bus-level boarding stations, improved station amenities, pedestrian access improvements, off-board fare payment systems, enhanced station safety and security, and redesigned road geometry to support transit signal priority. The project also includes modifications to the Salmon Creek Park-and-Ride facility, which will be renamed the Salmon Creek Transit Center and expanded with two new BRT station platforms, a vehicle operator relief building, and improved internal traffic circulation. The northern terminus will include construction of a new BRT-only access road turnaround and station on the WSU-Vancouver campus.

The award obligates $3.239 million with a period of performance through December 31, 2027. Place of performance is Washington. The project is designed to operate at 15-minute frequency with improved speeds and reliability, with travel time savings reinvested in expanded service hours and additional weekend service.

Purpose

The purpose of this grant is to transfer fhwa CRP and cmaq funding to section 5307 in FY 2025 for the highway 99 bus rapid transit project. This project will address existing transportation deficiencies by providing a faster and more reliable bus rapid transit (BRT) service along the highway 99 corridor located along approximately 10 miles of existing roadway between downtown vancouver washington and the WSU-vancouver campus.

Activities

This grant will provide funding for construction activities to address existing transportation deficiencies by providing faster and more reliable bus rapid transit (BRT) service along a this corridor along highway 99 in vancouver. Activities include but are not limited to:thirty two (32) new and 4 existing BRT station platforms approximately 31 right of way acquisitions bus-level boarding stations improved station amenities and pedestrian access to stations off-board fare payment enhanced safety and security at stations and redesigned road geometry to support a transit signal priority system. In addition the existing salmon creek park-and-ride facility would be modified within the existing site footprint and renamed the salmon creek transit center. Two new BRT station platforms would be added at this location and the area for vehicles would be expanded to provide more room for local buses and add room for BRT vehicles. Modifications would also include constructing a vehicle operator relief building and improvements to internal traffic circulation. In addition the project would include construction of a new BRT-only access road turnaround and BRT station at the northern terminus of the BRT corridor alignment on the WSU-vancouver campus.

Expected outcomes

The highway 99 BRT project will operate with 15-minute frequency during the majority of the day with improved speeds and reliability. The travel time savings from the project will be reinvested in a longer span of service and additional weekend service. The project may include opportunities for transit priority treatments (including transit-only lanes BAT lanes and queue bypass lanes) at specific locations that will result in the highest benefit. BRT stations will be constructed to include more amenities (off-board fare payment wayfinding security etc.) better access to transit (improved ramps new or improved sidewalks where identified improved bike facilities where identified) and improved safety to get to/from the stations (which could include signalized pedestrian crossings). The project is expected to improve transit speed and reliability through a series of BRT features to limit delay at stations signals and locations of high traffic congestion. The improvements in service will manage corridor transportation demand by providing a better-quality option for travel to/from key corridor destinations. Multimodal improvements will provide greater accessibility for people walking or biking through the corridor or accessing transit. The project may identify opportunities for improved pedestrian crossings reconstruction of select curb ramps and bicycle bypass station design enhancing access for all corridor users. Where constraints permit stations may be designed to integrate a path behind the raised platform area of the station to minimize conflicts with people on bicycles and BRT vehicles.

Intended beneficiaries

The populace of the c-tran service area and local area commuters.