The Cabarrus-Rowan Metropolitan Planning Organization reports that $2.6 million has been awarded through the state for eight CMAQ fast-track projects in the two counties.
CMAQ stands for the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program.
As reported earlier, Salisbury will receive $687,035 in CMAQ funds for sidewalks in three locations and to pay for free ozone action days on Salisbury city buses.
China Grove will receive $632,200 toward sidewalks; Concord, $897,125 for improvements at the Poplar Tent Road-U.S.29 intersection; Mount Pleasant, $334,300 for sidewalks; and Mobility Solutions, $105,000 for a public transit hotline and route matching.
Jurisdictions in the Cabarrus-Rowan MPO are eligible for CMAQ funds due to the federal Environmental Protection Agency non-attainment designation for air quality in Cabarrus and Rowan counties.
To qualify for the “fast track” status, Salisbury and other recipients must complete preliminary engineering before August 29.
The fast-track awards provide 100 percent funding for each project. CMAQ projects typically require a 20 percent local match.
To combat high levels of ground-level ozone, these projects will produce a total of 1,300 kilograms of annual emissions’ reduction when completed, the planning organization said.
The Cabarrus-Rowan Metropolitan Planning Organization plans for regional transportation needs including highway, transit, bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
Members include Concord, Kannapolis, Salisbury, Mount Pleasant, Harrisburg, Cabarrus County, Rowan County, Landis, China Grove, Spencer, Rockwell, Granite Quarry, Cleveland, Midland, Faith and East Spencer.