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What is MSTIP?
Washington County relies on multiple funding sources that work together to improve and maintain our transportation system. The innovative countywide Major Streets Transportation Improvement Program (MSTIP) is our primary funding source for major road construction. By 2018, MSTIP will have invested more than $730 million in countywide property tax funds into major transportation improvements that our residents and businesses rely on every day, no matter how they choose to travel.

MSTIP is a partnership. The Board of County Commissioners makes MSTIP funding decisions following extensive collaboration with cities, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), TriMet and other agencies, along with input from the public. MSTIP funds are also being used to leverage other funding sources. We are leveraging $5 million in MSTIP "Opportunity Funds" to secure an expected $35 million in other funding for local transportation.


In 2012, the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) adopted the five-year $175 million MSTIP 3d Funding Program, which included the following major county transportation investments:

• $160 million for 19 multi-modal road projects;
   
• $10 million for replacement of deficient rural bridges;
   
• $5 million Opportunity Fund to leverage other funding for all modes of transportation; and
  
  
• $500,000 to expand the county's Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) network capacity.

The first four MSTIP 3d projects are under construction now, and many more are coming in the next few years. The status of several key MSTIP 3d projects is summarized in the project update below.  

Download MSTIP Project Map

 

 

"The next few years will be our busiest road construction period ever. While there will be short-term construction impacts, the long-term value of these improvements to our community cannot be overestimated. In addition to improving safety and traffic flow, these projects are providing sidewalks and bike lanes in many areas where none currently exist, so our transportation system works better for everyone."  

Andrew Singelakis, Director of Land Use & Transportation  

Later this year, we will begin discussions with our agency partners about the next round of MSTIP funding, MSTIP 3e. We will be asking the public to weigh in during that process. The BCC's MSTIP 3e funding decision is anticipated in summer 2016.

For more on county transportation funding, including MSTIP, visit:
www.co.washington.or.us/LUT/TransportationFunding

 

Under construction:

• Baseline Road (Brookwood to 231st & 197th to Willow Creek): Complete summer 2016
   
• Cornelius Pass Road (Cornell to US 26 - County-City of Hillsboro-Intel partnership): Complete December 2016
   
• Hwy 99W @ Gaarde/McDonald (ODOT-County-City of Tigard partnership): Complete December 2015
   
• Farmington Road (Murray to Hocken): Complete May 2017

 

• 10th Avenue (Baseline to Holladay, Cornelius): Fall 2015 - spring 2016
   
• 124th Avenue Extension (Tualatin-Sherwood Road to Grahams Ferry):Fall 2015 - summer 2018
  
  
• David Hill Road Extension: Fall 2015 - December 2017

• North Bethany/Bonny Slope West (unincorporated Washington County)
   
• South Hillsboro (City of Hillsboro)
   
• South Cooper Mountain (City of Beaverton)
   
• River Terrace (City of Tigard)

• Cost sharing - Two-thirds of the $140 million cost will be funded by the County; the remaining one-third will be funded by the cities. This formula is based on travel forecasting that estimates that, on average, only one-third of travelers using the improved roads will result from the new developments. The remaining traffic will be "regional travel" - trips that begin and end outside of the high-growth areas.
   
• Bonding - The County will issue bonds to fund two-thirds of the project costs. Bonds will be repaid using revenue growth from the countywide property tax-based Major Streets Transportation Improvement Program (MSTIP).
   
• Development contributions - Cities may use Transportation Development Tax (TDT) and other development-based revenues to fund one-third of the project costs.
   
• Partnerships - Additional partnerships may result in cost-sharing. For example, the BCC also approved an intergovernmental agreement with Tualatin Valley Water District (TVWD) and the City of Hillsboro for water system improvements on the MSTIP 3d SW 124th Avenue Extension Project, which will lower overall costs and minimize community impacts.
   
• Preserving funds for other projects - Existing MSTIP funds will be preserved for improvements on other roadways throughout Washington County. By funding high-growth area road improvements through MSTIP-backed bonds, these high-growth projects will not compete with other transportation projects for regular MSTIP funds.