On November 1, ACOG will issue a call for projects to member local governments within the OCARTS transportation study area. The purpose of the call will be to solicit transportation projects for which communities wish to seek federal Surface Transportation Program Urbanized Area (STP-UZA) funds for federal fiscal years (FFY) 2014 and 2015. Eligible projects include roadway and intersection resurfacing, widening and safety improvements, bicycle and pedestrian accommodations, transit capital, and combinations of such improvements to enhance multi-modal travel throughout the region.
Email notification will be sent to all OCARTS area city managers/administrators and members of the Intermodal Transportation Technical and Policy Committees. Submitted projects must be consistent with the region’s long-range transportation plan, Encompass 2035, and scored by the applicant using the recently updated Criteria and Process for Evaluation of STP-UZA Projects.
Applications will be due on Monday, December 17, for further evaluation by ACOG staff and prioritization during a special meeting of the Technical Committee in January 2013.
Using the estimated FFY 2014 and 2015 STP-UZA funds for the OCARTS area and the project scores, a list of affordable projects will be developed by the Committee for each year. The updated project priorities will be amended into the FFY 2013-2016 OCARTS Area Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), as required by federal law. These actions will allow 80% federal STP-UZA funds (100% for certain safety projects) to be authorized for these approved projects once all federal requirements for environmental clearance, right-of-way and encroachment clearance, and final plans have been satisfied.
Local government project sponsors are responsible for the remaining 20% local match, as well as costs related to engineering, right-of-way acquisition, and utility relocation. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Holly Massie.