Agenda - Council - 03/25/2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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IV. TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENTS PURPOSE: Transportation Enhancements (TE) are transportation -related activities designed to strengthen the cultural, aesthetic and environmental aspects of the nation's intermodal transportation system. The TE program provides for the implementation of non-traditional transportation projects. TE Purpose and Vision TE funds are directed toward projects that preserve historic, archaeological, scenic and environmental resources related to surface transportation, and to facilitate bicycle and pedestrian use. Parks and open space preserve natural resources and provide a wide variety of recreational opportunities. Trail corridors are intended to provide for recreational travel along linear pathways throughout the metropolitan area. Preservation of historic features and protection of scenic areas permit appreciation of the natural resources that have influenced the region's development. GENERAL INFORMATION AND RESTRICTIONS The Safe Accountable Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) was signed into law in August 2005. Under SAFETEA-LU, Transportation Enhancement activities continue to be funded through a 10 percent set -aside from STP funds. All projects must relate to surface transportation. Transportation Enhancement (TE) funds may be used for the activities identified in Qualifying Criterion # 1. The region has allocated approximately $120 million in TE funds for projects since the beginning of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) in 1991. SAFEATEA-LU expired on September 30, 2009, but Congress has extended the Act several times through September 30, 2011. A new federal transportation Act is expected to be passed during the summer of 2011, during this regional solicitation. At the start of this regional solicitation in May, 2011, the region does not know what the new Act could mean for Transportation Enhancement project eligibility or funding. Therefore, the region is unable to provide a target amount of TE funds available in the 2011 regional solicitation. When the new Act is passed, the region will move quickly to determine how it impacts project eligibility as defined in this solicitation. The Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) is responsible for the selection of projects that are to be financed in part with TE funds made available to the seven -county region. To implement this responsibility, the TAB has developed policies to define eligibility and prioritize eligible projects. GENERAL POLICIES 1. TE funds are available to all Minnesota state agencies, the Metropolitan Council, other transit providers, Indian tribal governments, the seven counties, all cities and towns within the Twin Cities seven county region, and the ten Regional Park System Implementation agencies. Other local or special governmental agencies and private groups are also eligible, but must have a public agency sponsor. The agency sponsor is the local unit of government of record. The local unit of government is responsible for making arrangements with the project proposer to ensure all project requirements of the local unit of government are met. An Agency Agreement is written between Mn/DOT and the local unit of government. The local unit of government will administer the project using the State Aid for Local Transportation (SALT) Delegated Contract Process (DCP) for federal aid projects. 2. Generally, TE funds are available for the activities listed under #1 of the Qualifying Criteria and incidental activities associated with them if the incidental work does not constitute more than 30% of