The Commonwealth Transportation (CTB) released scores for the fourth round of transportation projects to be evaluated under the SMART SCALE prioritization process at their January 2021 meeting. More than 400 applications were submitted by localities, metropolitan planning organizations, and other regional entities across the state, and 397 have been scored based on several key factors: safety, congestion reduction, accessibility to jobs and businesses, economic development, environmental impacts, and land use.
The funding request for this round of SMART SCALE totaled $6.3 billion. SMART SCALE applications are scored based on the benefit of the project relative to the cost. The funding available for this round of SMART SCALE totals $1.374 billion: $883.7 million for the District Grant Program and $490.7 million for the statewide High Priority Projects Program.
The Staunton District was awarded $54.7 million, with nine projects in the SAWMPO region. See the full Staunton District list here: Smart Scale Round 4 – Staunton District Project Recommendations.
In the coming months, there will be public hearings with each district, at which the public may comment on the staff-recommended scenario and any potential revisions. The final Six-Year Improvement Program is scheduled to be acted on by the CTB in June 2021. Once projects are selected, they are fully funded through construction. The scores and additional information about the SMART SCALE process can be found at http://smartscale.org/projects/fy-2022-projects.asp.