Last Friday US DOT announced the opportunity to apply for funding under the TIGER II grant program, which is essentially a second round of the Recovery Act TIGER multi-modal surface transportation grants.
There are a few key differences:
Applications are due in August. I have attached a fact sheet I put together detailing the program and its requirements.
As wth the last round of TIGER grants — which had $57 billion in applications for $1.5 billion in funding — competition will be intense. To give you a sense of the types of projects that were selected in the first round of TIGER, I have attached a spreadsheet that lists all the awards and categorizes them by mode and purpose. The grants were generally split into three main categories: freight projects, highway projects, and "livability" projects (typically transit or bicycle/pedestrian) that advance the Administration's livability/sustainability agenda.
Last year the Oregon Transportation Commission offered letters of support to non-ODOT applications, and we will likely do this again for TIGER II. Although we have not determined a process for this, if you expect to submit a TIGER II application, please provide me information on your project to facilitate this process.
The ongoing economic downturn and recent interest in an economic stimulus package by President-elect Obama and congressional leaders has increased speculation that Congress could pass legislation that might include an infusion of funding for transportation projects, including highways and public transportation. While it is by no means certain that a stimulus package will be passed into law, and the specific details of an economic stimulus package will be determined by Congress, ODOT has prepared this frequently asked questions document to respond to recent inquiries on how the agency would likely handle an infusion of funding.
How much highway funding will Oregon receive?
If Congress passes an economic stimulus bill that includes highway funding, it will likely
send money through the federal highway program distribution formula. Under this formula,
Oregon receives about 1.2 percent of total funding. In September the U.S. House of
Representatives passed an economic stimulus bill (HR 7110) that included $12.8 billion for
the federal highway program. This would have provided Oregon $152 million in funding.
What requirements will this money come with?
In addition to the normal requirements to which all federally-funded highway projects are
subject, it is likely that funding under an economic stimulus package would come with the
requirement to get projects under contract and under construction in 2009. The Housepassed
legislation required that all funds be obligated by the state (which happens shortly
before a project goes to bid) within 180 days of enactment of the legislation. There will
likely be an expectation that all funding will supplement and not supplant existing
resources.
What types of projects will likely meet these requirements?
Given the likely requirement to get projects under contract quickly, projects should require
minimal design, not require acquisition of right of way, and have minimal need for
environmental work; most viable projects will be classified as a Categorical Exclusion
under NEPA. Most projects that meet these criteria will involve preservation of the existing
road and highway system, such as paving, bridge repairs, and safety measures; very few
highway capacity projects could proceed given the likely requirements to quickly obligate
funds.
How will ODOT select state highway projects?
Although it is not yet clear whether Congress will pass an economic stimulus package, how
much money Oregon would receive, or the requirements for use of funds, in advance of
congressional action ODOT is working to identify state highway projects that could receive
funding so the agency can move quickly if an infusion of resources becomes available.
ODOT will focus on selecting projects that can move quickly and be under construction
within the timeframe required by the legislation and envisioned by Congress. ODOT's
highway regions will select projects to add to their highway construction programs.
Updated December 9, 2008
Would local governments get any money for projects?
Regardless of whether a funding package includes specific direction to share funds with
local governments, ODOT would set aside a portion of the funds for local government
projects. If Congress maintains the normal process of passing all federal-aid highway
program funds through state DOTs, ODOT would administer the funds.
How will local government projects be selected?
ODOT has offered local governments the opportunity to propose projects that meet the
likely requirements. As with state highway projects, ODOT will work to pre-position
projects for funding in order to move quickly to get projects under contract if a funding
package is provided. The Oregon Local Program Committee (OLPC), a partnership
between counties, cities, ODOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), would
oversee this effort in conjunction with staff from ODOT's Local Government Section. Any
local government that wishes to propose a project for consideration should contact Martin
Andersen at (503) 986-3640 or by e-mail to martin.e.andersen@odot.state.or.us.
When will funds be available?
The availability of funding will depend on when a package is signed into law.
Congressional leaders have indicated they may take up a stimulus package shortly after the
new Congress takes office in early January.
Will there be a matching requirement?
The House-passed legislation (HR 7110) did not require project sponsors to provide a nonfederal
funding match. However, any economic stimulus package that becomes law may
differ from the House legislation.
Will funding for public transportation be included?
A stimulus bill could include funding for public transportation. The House-passed bill
would have provided $35 million to Oregon's urban areas for capital projects and $7 million
for capital projects in non-urbanized areas. The legislation would also provide an additional
$8.6 million for urban areas and $3.9 million for non-urban areas for assistance coping with
high energy costs. As with the existing Federal Transit Administration programs, funding
for the large urban districts (TriMet, Salem-Keizer Transit, Lane Transit District) would
flow directly to those districts, while ODOT 's Public Transit Division would administer the
funding for non-urbanized areas.
What other types of public works projects could receive funding?
Congress has discussed including resources for other types of infrastructure, but it is not
clear what will receive consideration for funding in a stimulus package. The House-passed
legislation included funding for airport grants and drinking water and wastewater projects,
among others. However, ODOT would likely not be involved in administration of these
funds, as federal programs other than highways and transit do not flow through state DOTs.
For additional information, please contact Travis Brouwer, ODOT Federal Affairs Advisor,
at (503) 986-3448 or by e-mail at travis.brouwer@odot.state.or.us.