Metro Transit Infrastructure Fund Consulting

Woolpert is helping Metro to administer the Metro Transit Infrastructure Fund in Hamilton County, Ohio. Funded by a portion of the county sales tax allotted to Metro, the program dollars are to be allocated toward infrastructure improvements that benefit Metro bus service and the members of the public who use it. Woolpert’s project manager, Jon Wiley, is responsible for reviewing, scoring, and overseeing administration of a program to distribute public funds (amounting from $35 million to $40 million per year) to various municipalities within Hamilton County. Woolpert works with Metro staff to develop the project eligibility criteria and promote the program throughout the community. Metro has outlined the criteria for project eligibility, including (among others), facility ownership, classification, project type, existing and future condition, impacts, and use.

Once applications are received each year, Woolpert works to review, score, and rank the various projects for potential funding in a timely and efficient manner. This includes making recommendations for distribution of available resources to the greatest possible benefit. Infrastructure projects eligible for consideration must be within 0.75 miles of a Metro fixed transit route. Projects range from sidewalks, street resurfacing, park and rides, and intersection improvements to the $300-million reconstruction of the Western Hills Viaduct. Once funding is awarded, Woolpert is responsible for reviewing invoices and approving payment of awarded grants.