17 Mar 2017 SCOG STP Call for Projects
Call for Regional Surface Transportation Program Projects
At its March 15th, 2017 meeting, the SCOG Transportation Policy Board issued a call for projects to utilize Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds. This call for projects is a competitive selection process whereby eligible project sponsors are invited to submit applications to fund surface transportation projects within Skagit County. Eligible project sponsors include:
- Local government
- regional transportation authorities
- transit agencies
- natural resource or public land agencies
- school districts, local education agencies, or schools
- a tribal governments
- nonprofit entities responsible for the administration of local transportation safety programs
- Other local or regional governmental entities with responsibility for or oversight of transportation or recreational trails (other than a metropolitan planning organization or a State agency) that the State determines to be eligible
Eligible project applications include construction of highways, bridges, tunnels, ferry boats and terminal facilities, transit capital projects; operational improvements; environmental measures; and safety infrastructure improvements. For a complete listing of eligible activities, see 23 USC 133 (b).
Project Selection Criteria
The Transportation Policy Board approved STP project selection criteria at its March 15th, 2017 meeting. The criteria will be used to assist the Transportation Policy Board select project priorities to be awarded STP funding. Approximately $5,131,380 will be available for allocation to the project priorities. Most of the funding will be programmed for obligation in Federal Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023. However, if available funding becomes available or other previously-programmed projects are unable to move forward, those selected to receive funding may be able to move forward prior to 2022.
Ten percent of the available STP funding, approximately $513,000, has been set aside for non-roadway projects. Non-roadway projects include non-motorized, transit, planning, and historical preservation projects.
The criteria used to prioritize the projects are based on regional transportation priorities identified by the Transportation Policy Board. The priority areas and their associated weights are listed below:
- Economic Vitality – 20%
- Safety – 20%
- Mobility – 20%
- Regional Nature – 10%
- Project Readiness – 15%
- Preservation/Maintenance – 5%
- TAC Priority (used by the Technical Advisory Committee to address project attributes that may not be captured in the criteria) – 10%
Most of the selection criteria are objective in nature and will be evaluated by SCOG staff. For the more subjective measures (including preservation/maintenance and TAC priority) the Technical Advisory Committee will provide a rating for each project. TAC members are not permitted to evaluate projects from their own agency.
Project applications are due to Gabe Philips in electronic format by April 26th, 2017.
Contingency List
The SCOG Transportation Policy Board has given direction to prepare a contingency list of projects that can easily move forward if the region is expected to fall short of its annual obligation target. Project sponsors are encouraged to submit proposals for transportation planning studies. Selection of the project to be included in the contingency list does not guarantee that the study will be funded. Sponsors of planning studies may also submit the proposed study as part of the general STP call for projects. The submissions will be prioritized according to the following criteria:
- What is the regional issue the study will address?
- What is the desired outcome?
- Does the study address a project/issue identified in Skagit 2040?
- What is the level of regional impact the study will have?
SCOG staff will prepare an initial prioritization of the proposed planning projects to be considered by the Transportation Policy Board.
Project applications are due to Gabe Philips in electronic format by April 26th, 2017.
Further Clarification
If you have questions related to the project applications process, contact Gabe Philips via email or by phone at (360) 416-6678. Clarifications made regarding the project selection criteria will be recorded and made available to all prospective applicants on SCOG’s website (www.scog.net).
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