Filing Date:
Varies; contact the state agency in charge of administering the program.
Eligibility:
State departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs).
Description:
Funds are available for various comprehensive planning activities that encourage and promote the safe and efficient management, operation and development of transportation systems that serve the mobility needs of people and foster economic growth and development while minimizing fuel consumption and air pollution through metropolitan and statewide transportation planning.
To achieve these stated goals, states and MPOs (established in urban areas with a population greater than 50,000) should develop long-range transportation plans and transportation improvement programs (TIPs) through a performance-driven, outcome-based approach to planning.
Among other considerations, the planning process will support the economic vitality of the metropolitan area, increase the accessibility and mobility of people, enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and between modes, and emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system.
The plans and TIPs for each metropolitan area should provide for the development and integrated management and operation of intermodal transportation systems for the metropolitan planning area. When drafting a plan or TIP, grant recipients should consider all modes of transportation.
For example, a state or metropolitan area contemplating expansion of or improvements to a multi-jurisdictional transportation system might consider the upgrading of passenger rail or intermodal facilities to provide safe and secure waiting areas for passengers and ensure ADA compliance. No transportation project can move forward or be eligible for other grants without a solid plan that charts out development over the long-term. The transportation planning process also encourages communities to come together to consider the steps needed to collectively strengthen the regional transportation network with an emphasis on intermodalism.
Financing:
Federal funds are first apportioned to the state departments of transportation which in turn allocate planning funding to the metropolitan planning organizations. The federal share is not to exceed 80 percent of the cost of the projects funded under the program, therefore requiring at minimum a 20 percent local match.
Funding:
$131 million (FY 2016)
$133 million (FY 2017)
$136 million (FY 2018)
$139 million (FY 2019)
$142 million (FY 2020)
Amtrak established the Great American Stations Project in 2006 to educate communities on the benefits of redeveloping train stations, offer tools to community leaders to preserve their stations, and provide the appropriate Amtrak resources.
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