Southwest Oklahoma Regional Transportation Planning Organization-SORTPO

09/16/2026

Great Opportunity!

Rural and REEU Scholar applications are open, but what exactly is the difference between the two, and which one should you apply for?

The Research and Extension Experience for Undergraduates (REEU) is the same thing as a Rural Scholar; but the path to getting to the Scholar Summer looks a little different for each.

To be a Rural Scholar, you MUST be an Oklahoma State University student. You can be a freshman, PhD student, or anywhere in between; but you MUST be enrolled at OSU.

To be an REEU Scholar, you MUST be an undergraduate student from a university or institution other than OSU. As long as you are a current UNDERGRADUATE student at an OUTSIDE institution, REEU is the program for you!

Both Scholar experiences allow you to spend 10 weeks in a rural Oklahoma community researching an issue facing rural areas, surrounded by research and community members and fellow Scholars.

Now that you know the difference, check out our website to apply today!

https://ruralrenewal.okstate.edu/rural-scholars

09/16/2026

09/15/2026

More than 9,700 passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes were not wearing seat belts in 2024.

Buckling up only takes a second — and it could save your life!

09/15/2026

National Walk to School Day

09/15/2026

NEW TRANSPORTATION FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

The Federal Highway Administration has announced approximately $787 million in funding through the PROTECT Competitive Grant Program.

The program helps communities make transportation infrastructure more resilient to natural hazards, severe weather, flooding, and other disruptions.

Funding opportunities include:

• Transportation resilience planning
• Resilience improvements
• Community resilience and evacuation routes
• At-risk coastal infrastructure

Eligible applicants include state and local governments, MPOs, federally recognized Tribes, public transportation agencies, and other eligible transportation entities.

Applications are due October 9, 2026.

Rural communities with transportation infrastructure affected by flooding, severe storms, drainage problems, extreme weather, evacuation needs, or other vulnerabilities should review this opportunity.

Learn more:

Read detailed information about this funding opportunity.

09/09/2026

A new mileage reimbursement program is increasing rural mobility options for southwest Oklahoma residents facing healthcare access barriers.

09/02/2026

Route 66 Grant Opportunities - see below.

Sharing about two Route 66 grant opportunities through National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Preserve Route 66 Legacy Business Grant Fund
https://savingplaces.org/preserve-route-66-legacy-business-grant-fund
The Preserve Route 66 Legacy Business Grant Fund provides support to businesses to preserve historic places and spur economic development along the Route 66 corridor. Grants projects can range from $5,000 to $10,000 in the following three categories: capital improvements, planning, and marketing and outreach.

Preserve Route 66 Grant Fund
The Preserve Route 66 Grant Fund provides financial support to public agencies, tribal governments or nonprofit organizations to preserve and interpret historic places along the Route 66 corridor. Grants will generally range from $2,500 to $10,000.
https://savingplaces.org/preserve-route-66-grant-fund-guidelines

09/02/2026

FFY 2027 SORTPO Transportation Planning Grant Program Now Open

Does your municipality have a transportation need that requires planning before it can move toward funding and implementation?

SORTPO is now accepting applications for the FFY 2027 State Planning & Research (SPR) Transportation Planning Grant Program.

📅 Application Period: September 2–30, 2026
⏰ Deadline: September 30 at 5:00 PM Central Time
💰 Maximum Federal SPR Funding: $25,000
🏘️ Eligible Applicants: Municipalities within the SORTPO region
💵 Local Match: 20% cash match

This is a planning grant, not a construction grant. Funding can help communities identify transportation needs, evaluate alternatives, collect data, improve safety and mobility planning, and prepare projects for future implementation.

Eligible projects may include:

Corridor, roadway network, or circulation studies
Downtown transportation, parking, access, or connectivity studies
Bicycle and pedestrian planning
ADA accessibility and walkability planning
Traffic, intersection, roadway, or safety studies
Transportation data collection, condition assessments, and needs analysis
Updates or expansions of existing transportation plans that address a new planning need

Questions or want to discuss a project idea? Contact Julie Sanders, SORTPO Director of Transportation, at [email protected] or 580-562-5010. Applications were sent to municipalities today and are availalbe on the SORTPO website. www.sortpo.org.

08/27/2026

https://americawalks.org/walkability-wins-part-fifty-quick-builds-for-walkable-intersections/

In this installment of Walkability Wins, explore quick-build projects in Bowling Green, KY, and safer routes to school in Kansas City, MO.

08/24/2026

Say hello to Snowy McSnowface— or whatever you want to name the plow that clears your roads!

The Snowplow Naming Contest is now open to all Oklahoma K–12 students!

Submit your coolest name by Sept. 28 at OkTraffic.org

Let’s see that Oklahoma creativity!

Oklahoma Turnpike Authority