Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program

Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program is sponsored by Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). This program aims to improve active transportation connectivity for people walking, biking, and rolling on current and former state highways.

Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program | WSDOT Support for local programs Active transportation funding programs Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program Learn how we are making walking, bicycling, and rolling safer, more comfortable and connected in overburdened communities divided by state highways.

The call for projects is closed Sandy Williams and community connection The Washington State Legislature established the Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program (SWCCP) to improve active transportation connectivity for people walking, biking and rolling on current and former state highways ( RCW 47. 04. 380 ).

This program serves communities of focus. These are communities most affected by barriers to opportunity and environmental health disparities. Lawmakers named the program to honor Sandy Williams.

Williams was a community leader in Spokane who advocated to reconnect her African American neighborhood after the construction of Interstate 90 through the city of Spokane split it in half. You can learn more about Sandy Williams and the creation of SWCCP in our online storymap . A total of $10 million is available for projects statewide for 2025-2026.

No matching funds are required. Projects submitted in this call for projects may be considered for funding in future rounds. The program awards funds yearly, with the next call in 2027.

Additional information is available in the Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Grant Program: Introduction and Guidance 2025-2026 (PDF 951KB) document. The following organizations are eligible for funding: Municipal governments including counties and cities These governments must work with their WSDOT region if they are developing a project on the state’s system.

These organizations are able to apply for planning only projects: Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and Regional Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPOs) This statewide program prioritizes projects in communities of focus for funding. It also prioritizes overburdened areas as defined in RCW 47. 04.

380 . You can explore which areas across the state SWCCP considers communities of focus with the Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Viewer . Planning: Funding for equitable, community-centered transportation planning focused on restoring community connectivity, public engagement, and developing local policies to prevent displacement.

includes a conceptual design of a community identified alternative. Quick Build: A quick build project is a design build construction project that is a community-driven safety improvement that can last from a few days to a few years. Design: Funding for 90% of the design.

This phase will include community engagement, right of way and environmental. Construction: These construction funds can be used to build Complete Streets to restore or improve community connectivity; remedy physical barriers that divide communities from employment, education, and opportunity; and address facilities burdening local communities from an environmental justice perspective.

The program works with program grantees to develop new or improved active transportation infrastructure on state and former highways. This includes quick-build or permanent features like greenways, sidewalks, protected bike lanes or crossings, as well as speed management and safety enhancements. Demonstrate that their project will increase connectivity and safety for community of focus areas.

These changes should help people walk, bike or roll to and from essential destinations and community spaces such as schools, transit, health centers, parks and grocery stores. Provide proof that they have partnered with local Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). The applicant must also provide proof that they will collaborate with CBOs to develop their proposed project, such as a letter of support.

Provide a memo demonstrating they have completed an initial consultation with affected tribes as outlined in the guidance document. You must submit the following when applying for this funding: Sandy Williams Connecting Communities interest application a tribal consultation memo all required supporting documents specified in the application guide If you have questions, contact the SWCCP Program Lead Clara Cheeves, clara. cheeves@wsdot.

wa. gov . Elements of a strong project proposal We consider several factors when selecting programs for funding.

Not every eligible project proposal will receive funding. We strive to fund the most innovative and impactful proposals. We also want to support communities of all sizes.

Preference will be given to proposed projects that accomplish the following. They connect people. Projects will connect people using active transportation to essential resources and community spaces such as schools, transit, health centers, parks, or the grocery store.

A project will connect to, or extend, existing active transportation networks or pathways. It will advance equity and environmental justice by addressing transportation challenges for high equity need communities. They benefit communities.

Projects will benefit communities socially and economically. They will do this through partnerships with community-based organizations. Projects may improve transportation access use recycled, natural or low-carbon materials, include green buffers or pollinator-friendly landscaping; make it easier for people of all ages to comfortably and safely travel; and more.

They make people safer. Projects improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and people using mobility devices, especially at high collision locations. They do this by reducing people’s exposure to crashes that result in severe injury or death.

They also reduce the severity and likelihood of those crashes. They build accessibility into project design and construction. They use innovative design approaches and practices that help people walk, bike and roll more safely and comfortably They are viable.

Project leadership is multidisciplinary. Leaders represent key knowledge areas such as transportation, planning, recreation, climate, public health, parks and transit. Teams have the staff capacity and resources to manage projects effectively.

Projects can demonstrate support from cities in their project areas and the most-affected community members. They may do this by noting existing partnerships, previous planning documents, or thoughtful outreach and engagement plans. Applicants have a track record of completing projects on time and on scope, with meaningful community engagement.

They meaningfully engage communities. Projects will work with community members on planning, development and execution. This fosters community engagement and ownership of the project in both the short and long-term This may include: Youth and/or children contributing to or leading aspects of project development and implementation.

Aspects may include engagement, design, installation, monitoring and evaluation. Community-based organizations leading or co-collaborating on project aspects of the project. Planning engagement with key partners such as parent-teacher associations, non-profit organizations and public health organizations.

Once awarded, grantees can leverage SWCCP funds as local match funding for federal funds for their project. As defined in RCW 70A. 02.

010 , Environmental Justice means the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, rules, and policies.

Environmental justice includes addressing disproportionate environmental and health impacts in all laws, rules, and policies with environmental impacts by prioritizing vulnerable populations and overburdened communities, the equitable distribution of resources and benefits, and eliminating harm. The Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program has distributed $36,884,000 to 41 projects statewide over three award cycles as of July 2025.

Climate Commitment Act funding The Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and -invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.

climate. wa. gov .

2025-2027 Active Transportation Legislative report 2023 Active Transportation Legislative report Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program Story Map Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program Lead clara. cheeves@wsdot. wa.

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