[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 218 (Thursday, November 12, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63351-63354]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30236]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
[FHWA Docket No. FHWA-98-4622]
National Corridor Planning and Development Program and
Coordinated Border Infrastructure Program--Implementation of the
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice; request for comments; solicitation of applications for
FY 1999 grants.
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SUMMARY: This document provides implementation guidance on sections
1118 and 1119 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century
(TEA-21), Pub. L. 105-178. These sections established the National
Corridor Planning and Development Program (NCPD program) and the
Coordinated Border Infrastructure Program (CBI program). The NCPD
program and the CBI program are funded by a single funding source.
These programs provide funding for planning, project development,
construction and operation of projects that serve border regions near
Canada and Mexico and high priority corridors throughout the United
States. States and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) are,
under the NCPD program, eligible for discretionary grants for: corridor
feasibility; corridor planning; multistate coordination; environmental
review; and construction. Border States and metropolitan planning
organizations (MPOs) are, under the CBI program, eligible for
discretionary grants for: transportation and safety infrastructure
improvements, operation and regulatory improvements and coordination
and inspection improvements in a border region.
DATES: Grant applications should be received by FHWA Division Offices
on January 11, 1999. Specific information required in grant
applications is provided in Section III of this notice. Comments on
program implementation should be received on or before April 12, 1999.
The additional time is provided so that any applicants can use the
first 60 days to fully concentrate on preparing grant applications and,
subsequently, to use information developed during that time to
formulate comments in the following 90 days. The FHWA will consider
comments received in developing the FY 2000 solicitation of grant
applications. More information on the type of comments sought by the
FHWA is provided in Section II of this notice.
ADDRESSES: Your signed, written comments on program implementation for
FY 2000 and beyond should refer to the docket number appearing at the
top of this document and you must submit the comments to the Docket
Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20590-0001. All comments received will be available for
examination at the above address between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., e.t.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Those desiring
notification of receipt of comments should include a self-addressed,
stamped envelope or postcard.
Applications for FY 1999 grants under the NCPD and CBI programs
should be submitted to the FHWA Division Office in the State of the
applicant.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Martin Weiss, Intermodal and Statewide
Programs Division, HEP-10, (202) 366-5010; or Diane Mobley (for the
NCPD program), Office of the Chief Counsel, HCC-31, (202) 366-1366; or
Grace Reidy (for the CBI program), Office of the Chief Counsel, HCC-31,
(202) 366-6226; Federal Highway Administration, 400 Seventh Street SW.,
Washington D.C. 20590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Access
Internet users can access all comments received by the U.S. DOT
Dockets, Room PL-401, by using the universal resource locator (URL):
``http://dms.dot.gov''. It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days
each year. Please follow the instructions online for more information
and help.
An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded using a modem
and suitable communications software from the Government Printing
Office Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 512-1661. Internet
users may reach the Federal Register's home page at: ``http://
www.nara.gov/fedreg'' and the Government Printing Office's database at:
``http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara''.
In addition, a number of documents and links concerning the NCPD
and CBI programs are available though the home page of the Corridor/
Border Programs: ``http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep10/corbor/corbor.html''.
Background
Sections 1118 and 1119 of the TEA-21 establish the NCPD and CBI
programs; respectively. These programs respond to substantial interest
in both subjects dating from, at least as early as, 1991. In that year,
the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) designated
a number of high priority corridors. Subsequent legislation modified
the corridor descriptions and designated additional corridors. Citizen
and civic groups were formed to promote many of these corridors as, for
example, a means to accommodate international trade. Similarly, since
1991, a number of studies have identified infrastructure and operation
deficiencies near the U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico. Also various
groups, some international and/or intergovernmental, were formed to
study opportunities to improve infrastructure and operations.
The NCPD and CBI programs are funded by a single funding source.
The combined authorized funding for these two programs is $140 million
in each year from FY 1999 to FY 2003 (a total of $700 million).
However, obligations will be limited each year by the requirements of
Section 1102 (Obligation Ceiling) of the TEA-21.
Under the NCPD program, funds are available to States and
metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) for coordinated planning,
design, and construction of corridors of national
[[Page 63352]]
significance, economic growth, and international or interregional
trade. Under the CBI program, funds are available to border States and
MPOs for projects to improve the safe movement of people and goods at
or across the border between the United States and Canada and the
border between the United States and Mexico. In addition, the Secretary
may transfer up to a total of $10 million of combined program funds,
over the life of the TEA-21, to the Administrator of General Services
for the construction of transportation infrastructure necessary for law
enforcement in border States. Such transfers will be made outside the
provisions of this notice, based on funding requested and supporting
information furnished by the Administrator of General Services.
The Federal share for these funds is 80% plus the sliding scale
adjustment in States with substantial public lands. The period of
availability for obligation is the fiscal year for which the funds are
authorized and the 3 years following. States which receive an
allocation of funds under these programs will, at the same time,
receive an increase in obligation authority equal to the allocation.
For FY 1999, there will be no targets for each of the two programs
(e.g., x% for the NCPD program and y% for the CBI program). However,
based on the wide interest in all facets of both programs, the FHWA
does expect to allocate substantial funding in FY 1999 for projects
from both the NCPD and CBI programs.
This notice includes three sections and one attachment:
Section I--Notice of program implementation
Section II--Request for comments on program implementation in FY
2000 and beyond
Section III--Solicitation of applications for FY 1999 grants
Attachment 1--Summary sheet
Section I--Notice of Program Implementation
The FHWA is implementing both the NCPD and CBI programs with the
same goals: These are:
1. Respect both the letter and the intent of existing statutes.
2. Minimize administrative additions to statutory requirements.
3. Minimize grant application paperwork.
4. Maximize administrative control of grants by FHWA field
personnel rather than FHWA Headquarters personnel.
5. Encourage substantive coordination of grant applications and
grant administration by State and local officials.
6. Encourage appropriate private/public, State/local, intermodal,
interregional, multistate and multinational coordination.
7. Encourage grant applications that have realistic objectives and
time horizons.
Outreach, Coordination and Cooperation
In addition to the goals noted above, the implementation of this
program has been based on various other sources of information. The
first source of input, both verbal and written, were the comments made
by elected officials and the general public during the course of the
DOT's outreach activities following the passage of TEA-21. Written
comments were those received by the public docket associated with the
overall TEA-21 outreach program. The U.S. Department of Transportation
(DOT) established Docket No. OST-98-4146 for such comments. Verbal
comments were those provided by people at three outreach sessions which
focused specifically on the NCPD and CBI programs. These sessions were
held: in San Diego, CA on August 25, 1998; in Detroit, MI on August 27,
1998; and, in Houston, TX on October 8, 1998. Internet users may access
summaries of these sessions from the home page of the TEA-21 outreach
session at: ``http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/outreach.htm''.
The second source of input were the comments made by a working
group comprised of persons in various offices in the FHWA and other
offices in the DOT.
The third source of input was information provided during other
discussions between FHWA staff and a variety of public sector and
private sector officials who have contributed program related
information and/or voiced concerns since the passage of TEA-21.
Eligibility--NCPD Program
Projects eligible for funding include:
1. Feasibility studies.
2. Comprehensive corridor planning and design activities.
3. Location and routing studies.
4. Multistate and intrastate coordination for corridors.
5. Environmental review or construction after review by the
Secretary of a development and management plan for the corridor or
useable section of the corridor (hence called ``corridor plan'').
The FHWA considers work in the pre-feasibility stage of a project,
e.g., development of metropolitan and State plans and programs, as not
eligible for support with federal aid under Section 1118 funds
(although funds authorized by other portions of the TEA-21 are eligible
for such support), but project development planning is eligible for
support.
The FHWA construes the phrase `environmental review', as used
above, as being the portion of the environmental documentation (e.g.,
EA/FONSI, EIS) process requiring formal interagency review and comment.
Thus, even without review of the corridor plan, work needed to produce
the pre-draft EIS and to revise the draft would be eligible for support
with federal aid under Section 1118. However, work subsequent to FHWA
signature of the draft EIS (or equivalent) would not be eligible for
such support until review of the corridor plan. Subsequent to such a
review, work on a final EIS and any other necessary environmental work
would be eligible for funding under this section.
Eligibility for funds from the NCPD program is limited to high
priority corridors identified in Section 1105(c) of the ISTEA, as
amended, and any other significant regional or multistate highway
corridors selected by the Secretary after consideration of the criteria
listed for selecting projects for NCPD funding. Fund allocation to a
corridor does not constitute designation of the corridor as a high
priority corridor. The FHWA has no statutory authority to make such a
designation.
Eligibility--CBI Program
Projects eligible for funding include:
1. Improvements to existing transportation and supporting
infrastructure that facilitate cross border vehicle and cargo
movements.
2. Construction of highways and related safety and safety
enforcement facilities that will facilitate vehicle and cargo movements
related to international trade.
3. Operational improvements, including improvements relating to
electronic data interchange and use of telecommunications, to expedite
cross border vehicle and cargo movements.
4. Modifications to regulatory procedures to expedite cross border
vehicle and cargo movements.
5. International coordination of planning, programming, and border
operation with Canada and Mexico relating to expediting cross border
vehicle and cargo movements.
6. Activities of Federal inspection agencies.
The statute requires projects to be in a border region. The FHWA
considers projects within 100 km (62 miles) of the
[[Page 63353]]
U.S./Canada or U.S./Mexico border to be in a border region.
Selection Criteria for the NCPD Program Funding
The statute identifies the following criteria to be used in
identifying corridors, in addition to those statutorily designated for
eligibility. These criteria will be used for selecting projects for
funding:
1. The extent to which the annual volume of commercial vehicle
traffic at the border stations or ports of entry of each State: has
increased since the date of enactment of the North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA); and is projected to increase in the future.
2. The extent to which commercial vehicle traffic in each State has
increased since the date of enactment of the NAFTA; and is projected to
increase in the future.
3. The extent to which international truck-borne commodities move
through each State.
4. The reduction in commercial and other travel time through a
major international gateway or affected port of entry expected as a
result of the proposed project including the level of traffic delays at
at-grade highway crossings of major rail lines in trade corridors.
5. The extent of leveraging of Federal funds provided under this
subsection, including: use of innovative financing; combination with
funding provided under other sections of the TEA-21 and Title 23
U.S.C.; and combination with other sources of Federal, State, local or
private funding including State, local and private matching funds.
6. The value of the cargo carried by commercial vehicle traffic, to
the extent that the value of the cargo and congestion impose economic
costs on the Nation's economy.
7. Encourage or facilitate major multistate or regional mobility
and economic growth and development in areas underserved by existing
highway infrastructure.
Specific aspects of the NCPD program require the FHWA to interpret
these criteria. Based on the goals noted above in Section I., the FHWA
intends to use a flexible interpretation. For example, while the date
of the enactment of NAFTA was December 8, 1993, traffic data which
provides an average for the calendar year 1993 could be used for the
pre-NAFTA information. For another example, since businesses use both
imported and domestically produced materials in a constantly changing
component mix to produce higher valued products, and because,
interregional trade is noted as part of the purpose of the section,
either interstate traffic or interregional traffic could be used as a
surrogate for ``international truck-borne commodities''. Similarly,
where determining the value of cargo carried by commercial vehicle
traffic would be impossible without using proprietary information, a
reasonable surrogate could be based on the vehicle traffic multiplied
by an imputed value for various classes of cargo.
Selection Criteria for the CBI Program Funding
The selection criteria in the statute are:
1. Expected reduction in commercial and other motor vehicle travel
time through an international border crossing as a result of the
project.
2. Improvements in vehicle and highway safety and cargo security
related to motor vehicles crossing a border with Canada or Mexico.
3. Strategies to increase the use of existing, underutilized border
crossing facilities and approaches.
4. Leveraging of Federal funds including use of innovative
financing, combination of such funds with funding provided under other
sections of the TEA-21 and combination with other sources of Federal,
State, local or private funding.
5. Degree of multinational involvement in the project and
demonstrated coordination with other Federal agencies responsible for
the inspection of vehicles, cargo, and persons crossing international
borders and their counterpart agencies in Canada and Mexico.
6. Improvements in vehicle and highway safety and cargo security in
and through the gateway or affected port of entry concerned.
7. The extent to which the innovative and problem solving
techniques of the proposed project would be applicable to other border
stations or ports of entry.
8. Demonstrated local commitment to implement and sustain
continuing comprehensive border or affected port of entry planning
processes and improvement programs.
As in the NCPD program criteria, the FHWA intends to use a flexible
interpretation of the CBI program selection criteria. For example,
because local (e.g., county, municipal) agencies sometimes have very
small capital improvement budgets, that local commitment for continuing
planning and improvement will be considered in the context of local
program cooperation with State projects in the border regions as well
as in the context of local financial support for such projects.
Selection Criteria Common to all Discretionary Programs
The concept of equity was very important in the development of TEA-
21. Therefore, national geographic distribution among all discretionary
programs and congressional direction or guidance will be considered by
the Administrator in the selection of projects for discretionary funds.
Evaluation Considerations for both the NCPD and the CBI Program
To adequately evaluate the extent to which selection criteria noted
above have been met by individual projects, the FHWA will consider the
following in each grant application:
1. Likelihood of expeditious completion of a useable project or
product.
2. Size, in dollars, of the program grant request in comparison to
likely accomplishments (e.g., grant requests that exceed about 10% of
the available NCPD and CBI program funding in a given year would be
expected to be subject to extra scrutiny to determine whether the
likely consequences would be commensurate with that level of funding).
3. Clarity and conciseness of the grant application in submission
of the required information.
4. State priorities and endorsement of, or opposition to, projects
by other States, MPOs and other public and private agencies or
organizations, as well as the status of the project on the State
transportation improvement program (STIP) and the metropolitan
transportation improvement program (TIP).
5. The extent to which the project may be eligible under both the
NCPD and the CBI program.
Section II--Request for Comments on Program Implementation in FY
2000 and Beyond
The NCPD and the CBI programs are new. Furthermore, they represent
a substantial public investment. Consequently, in addition to
evaluating the overall program based on information in the grant
applications, the FHWA is also specifically requesting comments on how
program implementation can be improved. The Docket number noted in the
beginning of this notice should be referenced. Comments may be on any
aspect of the program. The FHWA is particularly interested in comments
on discretionary determinations of the agency and in suggestions,
consistent with the statute, that will result in more complete
realization of the goals noted in the
[[Page 63354]]
beginning of Section I of this notice. Lastly, the FHWA requests
comments on how applicants can develop useful performance measures to
evaluate project implementation.
Section III--Solicitation of Applications for FY 1999 Grants
As noted above, applications for FY 1999 grants are to be sent to
the Division office in the State of the applicant or to the Division
office in the lead State, where a project is in more than one State.
When sending in applications, the States and MPOs must understand
that any qualified projects may or may not be selected; it may be
necessary to supplement NCPD and CBI program funds with other Federal-
aid and/or other funds to complete a useable project or product and
allocations of FY 1999 funds will be made considering the degree to
which proposed projects are viable and implementation schedules are
realistic.
There is no prescribed format for project submission. However, the
following information should be addressed in the application to
properly evaluate the candidate projects. Applications that do not
include the following information may be considered incomplete:
1. State (if a multi state or multi MPO project list the lead
State/MPO and participating States/MPO) and, if applicable,
congressional high priority corridor number(s);
2. County(ies) or Parish(es);
3. U.S. Congressional District(s) and name of U.S.
Representative(s) in the District(s);
4. Project Location; including a map(s) with U.S., State and local
numbered routes and other important facilities clearly identified;
5. Project Objectives;
6. Proposed Work; identifying which specific element(s) or work
corresponds to each of the list of eligible items noted above is
addressed and disaggregating the work into phases, if applicable;
7. Planning and Coordination Status; identifying whether the
project is included, or expected to be included, in State and MPO plans
and programs (e.g., STIPs and TIPs); discussing consistency with plans
and programs developed by empowerment zone and enterprise community
organizations; discussing consistency with plans developed for
compliance with the Clean Air Act; and, discussing coordination with
inspection agencies and with Canada and Mexico, as applicable;
8. Traffic/Safety Information and Projections; addressing the
applicable statutory criteria;
9. Financial Information and Projections; (e.g., total estimated
cost of improvements to corridor or border facility, previous funding,
commitment of other funds) addressing the applicable statutory
criteria;
10. Infrastructure Condition Information; addressing the applicable
statutory criteria;
11. Information Regarding Ownership; including whether it is
private or public, operating authority and maintenance responsibility
for all facilities to be improved as part of the project;
12. Other Information; addressing the applicable statutory criteria
(e.g., implementation schedule);
13. Amount of NCPD Program and/or CBI Program Funds; requested as
well as written confirmation of the source and amount of non-Federal
funds that make up the non-Federal share of the project. If the State
is willing to accept partial funding, this also should be indicated;
14. Future Funding Requests; related to the project anticipated
under these programs or other discretionary programs;
15. The Priority; the State (or lead State) assigns to this project
(e.g., priority one, priority two, etc.) relative to other projects
located in the State for which applications are being submitted based
on this notice;
16. Public Endorsements/expectations of the project or opposition;
to the project by public and private organizations who expect to use
the work to be funded by the grant as well as those who expect to
benefit or be adversely affected, directly or indirectly, from such
work;
17. Corridor plan; for those grant applications for the NCPD
program where the work to be funded includes environmental review or
construction;
18. Performance measures; which the applicant intends to use to
evaluate implementation process in the project; and,
19. Summary Sheet; covering basic project information (see
Attachment 1).
Attachment 1--Format for Summary Sheet
Application for NCPD or CBI discretionary funds:
Grantee: List full name of agency.
U.S. Representative/Senator(s): List full names.
Governor/Mayor(s): List full names.
Project: Short name and brief description of project (e.g., This
project provides for widening by one lane in each direction of * * *
extending from * * * in the vicinity of * * * to * * * in the vicinity
of * * * a distance of * * *. This improvement will serve * * * and * *
* will result in major safety/time savings * * * to * * *).
FHWA funds requested: Exclude non federal share.
Other funds committed: Specify source and amounts.
Other support: List agencies providing substantive assistance.
Other important information: (e.g., improved access to Indian
Reservation, expected improvement to local economy, specify phase of
project or corridor development, specify ongoing projects that will be
coordinated with this one, identify environmental features,
construction scheduling--all if appropriate).
(Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48, Sections 1118, 1119 of Pub.
L. 105-178)
Issued on: November 4, 1998.
Kenneth R. Wykle,
Federal Highway Administrator.
[FR Doc. 98-30236 Filed 11-9-98; 8:45 am]
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