2006-01-09 Regular Meeting, Public Hearing and Workshop Meeting of La Porte City Council

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Program Guide Call of 2005 - 2006 Program Eligibility The transportation enhancement program is unique. What differentiates it from other transportation programs is its orientation toward non-traditional transportation projects. Determining eligibility refers to the requirements that a project must meet in order to be considered for funding. Project nomination packages that are submitted to the program must also be complete. Eligibility criteria are separate from selection criteria. In order to be eligible for the transportation enhancement program, projects must demonstrate a relationship to the surface transportation system; fit one of the 12 enhancement categories; and go above and beyond standard transportation activities. In addition to these, a project must have a nominator that complie,s with the program guidelines; meet standards established under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); complies with all other applicable state and federal regulations; and provides all required information. TxDOT in consultation with FHWA VJiII determine the eligibility of all nominated projects. Project nominations should include !only eligible activities and costs. Consequently, in reviewing nominations FHWA'and TxDOT may determine some'candidate projects are only partially eligible and that ineligible activities or costs cannot be funded. A minimum of 50 percent of the project activities and a minimum of 50 percent of the estimated project costs must be eligible under the program rules for the project to continue in the selection process. Only eligible items will be 'considered for funding or for credit as an in-kind donation. Project nominators will be given the opportunity to continue in the process by 'appeal, if the majority of their projeq! is eligible and a revised budget is submitted without the ineligible items. . In accordance with federal guidance, projects that solely include aviation activities are not considered surface transportation related and therefore are not eligible for funding participation. To be considered eligible for funding, projects that include aviation activities must incorporate various other surface transportation modes, such as automobiles, trains, and/or ships into the project. Transportation Relationship Transportation enhancement projects must establish a relationship to the surface ..transportation system by either function or impact. Once a relationship to the surface transportation system is established, transportation enhancement activities can be implemented in a variety of ways. They can be developed as parts of larger transportation projects, as parts of larger joint development projects or as stand-alone projects. A project must demonstrate one of the following relationships to the surface transportation system: 7 Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program