Northeast Minnesota Transportation Alternatives Solicitation Kick-off Workshop October 11, 2019
Contents • About the Transportation Alternatives (TA) Program • How to Apply • Transportation Alternatives Project Management
Transportation Alternatives (TA) Program What is the TA Program? • The TA Program is a competitive grant opportunity for local communities and regional agencies to fund transportation projects. • Minnesota is soliciting projects for $6.2 million in available grant funding across the state.
Transportation Alternatives (TA) Program Qualifying Projects • Active Transportation • Wayside Rests • Community Improvement • Environmental Mitigation • Safe Routes to School • Boulevard Development
Example Project: Multi-use Trail
Example Project: Bike Lane
Example Project: Wayside Rest/Trailhead
Example Project: SRTS Pedestrian Crossing Median
Example Project: Sidewalks near Campus
Example Project: Boulevard Development
Transportation Alternatives (TA) Program Non-Qualifying Activities • State or metropolitan planning organization administration • Promotional activities, except as permitted by SRTS • Routine maintenance and operations, except trail maintenance under the Recreational Trails Program • General recreation and parks facilities • Engineering activities • Purchase of right-of-way
Transportation Alternatives (TA) Program Eligible Applicants • Local governments • Regional transportation authorities • Transit agencies • Natural resource or public land agencies • School districts, local education agencies, or schools (public or private) • Tribal governments (federally-recognized) • Nonprofit entities responsible for the administration of local transportation safety programs • Any other local or regional governmental entities with responsibility for, or oversight of, transportation or recreational trails • Note: To receive federal funds, an applicant must be a state aid city or county or have a state aid city or county sponsor the project.
Transportation Alternatives (TA) Program Funds Available • $900,000 for Northeast Minnesota (Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Pine, and St. Louis) • Applicants may request between $100K and $600K per project Local Match Requirement • 80% federal, 20% state or local Payment Information • Qualifying project expenses will be reimbursed after project completion in 2024
Transportation Alternatives (TA) Program Federal Requirements • Davis-Bacon and Copeland Acts: Payment of pre-determined wage is applicable to all federal-aid construction contracts exceeding $2,000 and to all related subcontracts. • ADA Requirements: All Transportation Alternatives projects must comply with the federal and state handicapped accessibility mandates. • Anti-Discrimination Laws: Each sponsoring participant must comply with applicable federal and state Anti-discrimination laws and be able to demonstrate compliance. • Project Supervision: All projects must be under the direct supervision of a Minnesota Licensed Professional Engineer. • Additional Requirements and Specifications: Successful applicants will be provided with additional information as needed by MnDOT.
Transportation Alternatives (TA) Program Questions so far?
How to Apply Application • General Information • Project Budget • ATP Project Evaluation • Sponsoring Agency Resolution • Resolution Agreeing to Maintain Facility • Application Checklist • Signatures • Appendix A: Scoring Criteria
How to Apply Scoring Elements • Project meets TA program goals [15 points possible, 30%] • Project has public support [10 points possible, 20%] • Project has high chance for deliverability [25 points possible, 50%]
How to Apply Project Selection Process • Projects scored, ranked, and recommended by a 13- member Task Force appointed by the Northeast Minnesota Area Transportation Partnership (NEMNATP) • Projects selected based on Task Force recommendations by the NEMNATP
How to Apply Timeline • October 1, 2019 – Solicitation opens • October 31, 2019 – Letters of intent due • November 18, 2019 – Full applications available • January 3, 2020 – Full applications due • April 15, 2020 – Award notifications
How to Apply Questions about the application or how to apply?
Contact Russell Habermann rhabermann@ardc.org 218-529-7552 Solicitation Materials: www.nemnatp.org/ta
TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROJECT MANAGEMENT CAUTION ROUGH ROAD AHEAD
------- OH MY GOD ------- MY PROJECT WAS SELECTED Federal DCP Checklist – State Aid website Federal process requirements • Agreements • Project Memorandum • Right of Way Process Submittal milestones
About the funding source, Title 23 • TA funds come from the federal fuel taxes • These are called Title 23 federal funds • Projects using these funds must follow all the federal environmental, design, construction and inspection rules and laws as if this project were a major highway. • This is a REIMBURSABLE program – not a grant!
WHERE IS MY PROJECT MANAGER? • Every project needs a manager • Must perform minor miracles • Will not be paid with TA funds; TA funds are for construction only
STARTING THE PROCESS • PROJECT SCOPING • ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS, PROJECT MEMORANDUM • PRELIMINARY PLANS, FINAL MEMO • FINAL PLANS, R/W, PROJECT LETTING • CONSTRUCTION AND PROJECT FINALS
PROJECT SCOPING • MEET WITH DESIGNERS, PROJECT SPONSORS, ADJACENT LAND OWNERS, AND ANY PERSON OR AGENCY THAT MAY BE AFFECTED BY YOUR PROJECT • HAMMER OUT PROJECT DETAILS, ALIGNMENTS, COSTS, ETC.
FEDERAL PROJECT MEMO, YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING? • Social, Economic and Environmental Impacts – 4(f), 6(f) land (Parks, Recreation Areas, etc) – National Historic Preservation Act – Endangered Species (Northern Long Eared Bat and tree removal) – Right of Way – Farmland Protection Policy Act – Air Quality
-Noise -Section 404 Clean Water Act (Corps of Engineers Permits) -Floodplain issues -Wetland impacts -Water Pollution (MPCA storm water permits) -Public waters (DNR permits) -Hazardous Waste Sites -Mitigation of Damages
-Controversial Issues -Aesthetic Values -Traffic during construction -State Environmental Review (MEQB) -Environmental Justice statement -Federal Action Determination Statement
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE! PROJECT FINAL DESIGN • Design Standards • Plans and Specifications, what’s eligible for federal participation? • Getting Right of Way – typically can drive project timeline – needs to be done prior to authorization • Deadlines: December 1 – for PM and April 1 for plans
-Plan Submittal -R/W certificate -Utility Certificate -Estimates -Bid Letting -Award -Construction (Supervised by Professional Engineer or Certified Inspector)
SHOW ME THE MONEY • Who is your Agency? • Agency Agreement/Responsibilities • Agency may want your share (the 20% match) up front • Agency writes the checks SHARP CURVE AHEAD
WHEN SHOULD I START? • You may already be behind schedule • Early contact with public, state and federal agencies important • Right of way issues – condemnation can skew timeline • The DCP checklist outlines major steps in the process.
HOW LONG DOES THIS TAKE? • Project Memorandum and Documents- 6 months • Plans and Specifications and Approvals - 6 months • Right of Way – condemnation up to 8 months • Certificates, Permits, Authorization, Letting and Award - 3 months • Construction begins
WILL THIS EVER END? Maybe • Final Project Inspection • Certification of Materials • Final Payment to Contractor
But it’ll be worth it…..
WHERE CAN I GET SOME HELP? • Your Agency Sponsor • John McDonald – District State Aid Engineer – MnDOT – 1123 Mesaba Ave. – Duluth, MN 55811 – (218) 725-2705 • Project Details, Design Standards, Project Documentation, or just about anything
-State Aid website -State Aid Special Projects Coordinator, Lynnette Roshell, 651-366-3822
THANK YOU and GOOD LUCK!!!
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