Regional Solicitation

Investments that connect people to places and keep the region moving

The Regional Solicitation is one way the Metropolitan Council prioritizes and invests in roads, bridges, and transit, as well as biking and walking needs. Whether for existing infrastructure or new improvements, projects focus on outcomes like moving more people more effectively, managing congestion, and improving air quality.

Awarding federal funds across the region

The Regional Solicitation happens once every two years and awards about $250 million in federal funds. The Transportation Advisory Board, comprising local elected officials and resident members, is central to the solicitation process.

While the board sets the expectations for the solicitation, scoring committees evaluate all project submissions. More than 60 technical experts volunteer their time over a two-month period. They provide their knowledge and experience on specific measures to score and recommend the most suitable regional projects to the board.

Projects improve connections and access

In 2024, the board granted $264 million in federal funding to 59 projects, and $19 million in Active Transportation funding  through the regional transportation sales and use tax, adding 17 more projects. These projects are located across the region, in 52 cities and townships, and all 7 metro region counties. Some of this cycle’s funding highlights:

• Improving east to west transit from Sun Ray Transit Center in Saint Paul to downtown Minneapolis for the future METRO H Line bus rapid transit in the Como Avenue / Maryland Avenue corridor.
• Investing in 10 Safe Routes to School projects across the region that will help kids safely walk and bike to school.
• Expanding Metro micro services to Minnetonka, connecting to the METRO Green Line extension. Other new micro areas funded include Mendota Heights, Mendota, Lilydale, West Saint Paul, and Inver Grove Heights, connecting to the southern limit of the METRO G line at the Dakota County Northern Service Center.
• Reconstructing Robert Street in Saint Paul from the southern city limits at Annapolis Street E to Kellogg Boulevard.
• Constructing an interchange at Trunk Highway 65 and Bunker Lake Boulevard in Anoka County to improve safety and mobility. 

Regional Solicitation process

Application categories by mode

Unique Projects (2.5% of federal Funds; $4 million to $5 million) Including the Regional Travel Behavior Inventory/Modeling Program

Successful projects align with regional policies

Proposed projects must align with the goals of the region’s 2040 Transportation Policy Plan. The plan defines a policy framework of transportation system stewardship, safety and security, access to destinations, competitive economy, healthy and equitable communities, and transportation investments that guide land use.

Evaluation criteria are specific to the application categories. Among the criteria, proposals must address the project’s role in the regional transportation system and regional economy, age and condition of the infrastructure, safety, connections, equity, and affordable housing.