Transportation Enhancement Guidelines

Transportation Enhancement Guidelines

Colorado Supplement

Effective October 10, 2000

Prepared by: FHWA & CDOT Transportation Enhancement Program Managers

Transportation Enhancement Guidelines

Colorado Supplement

Table of Contents
Introduction

TEA-21 Becomes Law

Enhancements Defined

Where Do I Submit My Application?

Chapter 1 - Eligibility

Who May Apply for Transportation Enhancement Funds

Eligible Transportation Enhancement Activities

Project Categories

Chapter 2 – Evaluation Process

Threshold Criteria

CDOT Region Process
Chapter 3 - Project Implementation

Project Development/Preliminary Engineering Phase:

• 
  CDOT/Applicant Agreement
  
• 
  Applicant/Consultant Agreement
  
• 
  Environmental Process
  
• 
  Right-of-Way Process
  
• 
  Railroad Right-of-Way/Utility Agreements & PUC Applications
  
• 
  Funding Authorization
  
• 
  Design
  
• 
  Bid Package
  
• 
  Awards
  

Project Completion/Construction Phase

• 
  Planning and Feasibility Studies
  
• 
  Construction/Rehabilitation/Restoration Projects
  
• 
  Methods of Construction – “Force Accounts”
  
• 
  State Certification
  
• 
  Applicant Billings
  
• 
  Advance Payment Option
  

Chapter 4 - Innovative Financing

Local Matches

In-Kind Donations

Advance Payment Option

Appendix A – Definitions of the 12 Eligible Transportation Enhancement Activities

Appendix B – Descriptions of Project Categories

Appendix C - Project Evaluation Criteria and Selection Cycle by CDOT Region

Appendix D – Application Form and Instructions

Appendix E – Transportation Enhancement Program Managers

Appendix F – Reference and Source Guides for Transportation Enhancement Projects

Appendix G – Acronym List

INTRODUCTION
On June 9, 1998, President Clinton signed the Transportation Equity Act for the 21^st Century (TEA-21) into law. Federal transportation policy, as reflected in the strategic goals of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and its Environmental Policy Statement, continues to stress mobility, protection of the human and natural environment, community preservation, and sustainability. The achievement of these goals and objectives is a high priority for the USDOT. TEA-21 continues these efforts through the further expansion and funding of the Transportation Enhancement Program activities initiated under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA).
FHWA guidelines under TEA-21 include:

• 
  Only the twelve activities listed (see Appendix A) are eligible for funding.
  
• 
  Applicants for funding must provide at least 20% of the total project costs in matching funds
  
• 
  Enhancement is defined as “going beyond the normal, routine, or customary elements of transportation projects.” Enhancements do not include typical maintenance activities or activities provided to mitigate project impacts in compliance with requirements of state or federal laws.
  
• 
  All funded enhancement projects must be related to the surface transportation system, though not necessarily to a currently planned or proposed project.
  
• 
  The use of federal funds requires compliance with federal regulations governing environmental protection, contracting for services, acquisition of property, etc.
  

To meet the intent of ISTEA, TEA-21 and the FHWA guidance, FHWA published A Guide to Transportation Enhancements. CDOT developed this supplemental guidance to provide you with specific information as it relates to CDOT’s Transportation Enhancement Program. This supplemental, Transportation Enhancement Guidelines - Colorado Supplement, supercedes all previous editions or publications specific to Colorado’s Transportation Enhancement Program.

While no two state Transportation Enhancement programs are exactly alike, each state program has several characteristics with which you will want to be familiar. We address these characteristics as they apply to Colorado in the following chapters: 1) Eligibility; 2) Selection Process; 3) Project Implementation; and 4) Innovative Financing. CDOT is prepared to assist all applicants in understanding the federal requirements of the Transportation Enhancement program.
CDOT is divided into six engineering regions throughout the state. Each Region is headed by a Regional Transportation Director, and has its own Transportation Enhancement Program Manager. Figure __ shows the CDOT Region in which you are located and Appendix E identifies the CDOT Transportation Enhancement Program Manager in your Region. Each Region has specific guidelines that meet the unique needs and situations for that Region. Therefore, communicating with your Transportation Enhancement Program Manager is crucial prior to developing your application.

CHAPTER 1 – ELIGIBILITY

Project applications are only accepted from federal, tribal, state, county or municipal governmental agencies. The applicant restriction was adopted because of project development and financial administration requirements associated with this federally funded program. CDOT recognizes that many private, non-profit, and civic organizations have a strong interest in, and support for, using these funds. These groups must partner with government agencies to develop project applications and sponsorships.

There are twelve (12) eligible activities described in TEA-21. These activities fall within the project categories listed below. Only these activities qualify as Transportation Enhancement activities. The 12 eligible activities as paraphrased below are:

1. 
   Pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
   
2. 
   Pedestrian and bicycle safety and education activities.
   
3. 
   Acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites.
   
4. 
   Scenic or historic highway programs, including tourist and welcome centers.
   
5. 
   Landscaping and scenic beautification.
   
6. 
   Historic preservation.
   
7. 
   Rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures, or facilities.
   
8. 
   Conversion of abandoned railway corridors to trails.
   
9. 
   Control and removal of outdoor advertising.
   
10. 
    Archaeological planning and research.
    
11. 
    Environmental mitigation of water pollution due to highway runoff, and provision of wildlife connectivity.
    
12. 
    Establishment of transportation museums.
    

This list is intended to be exclusive, not illustrative. Please refer to Appendix A for a complete definition of the 12 eligible Transportation Enhancement activities.

For simplicity purposes, CDOT has further defined these activities into four project categories. Transportation Enhancement projects must fall into one of the following project categories:

1. 
   Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities
   
2. 
   Historic Preservation
   
3. 
   Transportation Aesthetics
   
4. 
   Environmental Mitigation
   

A complete description of each of these categories is located in Appendix B. There are also examples of acceptable projects, along with additional information to help you determine planning, design, and construction requirements.

CHAPTER 2 – EVALUATION PROCESS
CDOT uses a two-step evaluation method to determine if projects qualify under the Transportation Enhancement Program. Applications must first meet all of the following threshold criteria:

• 
  The applicant is a governmental entity or a partnership in which one or more governmental entities are involved in a lead role and have the authority to enter into a contract with the State.
  
• 
  Projects located within a Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) planning area are approved, prioritized and submitted by the MPO; certifying that the proposed project is included in their 20-year plan and 6-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Contact the local MPO to determine how to get your project considered for their 20-year plan.
  
• 
  The application package includes all required attachments.
  
• 
  The application is received by CDOT or the agency designated by your CDOT Region prior to the application deadline.
  
• 
  The applicant demonstrates how the project is one or more of the 12 eligible Transportation Enhancement activities or a sub-component of an eligible activity.
  
• 
  Must demonstrate a relationship to surface transportation.
  
• 
  The application demonstrates that the required 20% minimum local match is available to support the project.
  
• 
  Written permission and/or support from property owners whose land or property is required to complete the project.
  
• 
  The application includes a commitment for long-term maintenance of the completed project.
  
• 
  The completed project is open to the general public and meets the accessibility standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  
• 
  The completed project meets applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
  
• 
  The application demonstrates that the completed project fulfills a public need or benefit related to the State’s transportation system.
  

Project sponsors are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible. Early application submission allows for the expeditious completion of the application evaluation process and provides an opportunity for the Region to resolve any issues discovered during their review.

Applicants must also meet the criteria specific to the CDOT Region in which your project is located. Please refer to Appendix C in these guidelines to determine the selection criteria specific to the Region. It is imperative you work directly with the Transportation Enhancement Program Manager within the Region. For example: 1) CDOT Region 6 requires applicants to work directly with the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), and 2) Some projects may encompass two or more CDOT Regions. These projects are typically considered statewide projects and are coordinated through the Transportation Enhancement Program Manager at CDOT Headquarters.