Transportation Border Congestion Relief Program

Questions and Answers

1. Is the TBCR Program a part of the National Strategy to Reduce Congestion on America's Transportation Network (Congestion Initiative)?

   Yes. The TBCR Program is designed to facilitate and accelerate transportation-related capacity and operational improvements at international land border crossings that will improve border travel times and help reduce associated national and regional economic costs. Information about the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Congestion Initiative is available online at http://www.fightgridlocknow.gov/.

2. What is the goal of the TBCR Program?

   The goal of the TBCR Program is to identify and assist international land border States with implementing innovative solutions to address land border travel time delay and facilitate trade and travel without compromising the vital mission of securing America's borders.

3. What are the primary objectives of the TBCR?
   
   
   1. Reduce border travel time delays by promoting non-traditional transportation project delivery and operation approaches at or near international land border crossings.
   2. Illustrate the benefits of alternative financial models.
   3. Promote and support a more efficient coordination process among the various Federal and local agencies that have an interest in our Nation's land borders.
   4. Improve system connectivity to facilitate trade and the safe, legitimate, movement of people and goods across the U.S. border by decreasing border travel times without compromising the vital mission of securing America's borders.
   5. Demonstrate the viability of developing land border crossing projects using an investment model based on sound economics and market principles.
   
   
4. Who is eligible to apply for the TBCR Program?

   The DOT is soliciting applications from interested international land border States, bridge and tunnel operators, and private entities to participate in the TBCR Program. Bridge and tunnel operators and private entities should provide a written endorsement from the border State in which the project is located as requested in the May 30, 2008 Federal Register Notice.

5. Is this Program for both Southern (Mexico) and Northern (Canada) Border States?

   Yes. All 15 U.S. border States on either the Mexican or Canadian Borders are encouraged to apply.

6. How many projects will DOT select for this Program?

   The DOT intends to select two or more surface transportation projects, a minimum of one on the U.S./Mexico border and one on the U.S./Canada border, which can help to improve border travel times. Rail, motor carrier safety, and public transportation projects may be included; however, ferries and water ports of entry are not part of the TBCR Program.

7. What is deadline for applications?

   Applications must be received on or before June 30, 2008.

8. What should the application packet contain?

   In brief, the applicant should address the following information. Please refer to the May 30, 2008 Federal Register Notice for more detail.

   1. Project Description - A detailed description of the proposed land border project.
   2. Congestion Reduction and Reduction in Land Border Travel Times - Address current or future congestion. Describe where and how the proposed project would reduce current congestion levels or address future expected congestion based on projected traveled trends at the land border crossing.
   3. Intelligent Transportation Systems - Explain how transportation technologies would be used to benefit users by enhancing the mobility and efficiency of the land border crossing.
   4. Economic Benefits and Support of Commerce - Explain how the proposed project would support the U.S. economic growth including information about how the project would improve the predictability of freight movements or travel by individuals through the land border crossing.
   5. Innovations in Project Delivery and Finance - Highlight any innovative project delivery and financing features of the project.
   6. Exceptional Environmental Stewardship - Describe any proposed innovative methods for completing the environmental review process effectively, and/or any exceptional proposed measures for avoiding or mitigating impacts.
   7. Finance Plan and Potential Private Sector Participation - Submit an initial plan that identifies potential sources of financing and the private sector's likely role.
   8. Planning and Coordination Status - Provide information about the status of planning and coordination activities among all interested and relevant parties.
   9. Proposed Project Time-line - Include a proposed project time-line with estimated start and completion dates for major elements of the proposed project.
   
   
9. Once completed, where should applications should be sent?

   Interested parties should submit Applications to Mr. Marcus J. Lemon, Chief Counsel, Federal Highway Administration, HCC-1, Room E82-328, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington, DC 20590 or electronically to transportationbordercongestionrelief@dot.gov.

10. Will sponsors of projects selected for participation in the TBCR Program be required to execute any agreements with the DOT?

    Yes. Once the project is accepted for administration under the TBCR Program, DOT will work with the project sponsor, the relevant border State, municipalities, Indian tribal government(s), Federal agencies, and foreign jurisdictions to draft a TBCR Program Development Agreement for the project (Development Agreement).

11. What should these agreements include?

    The Development Agreement would address the commitments of all parties to the project (Federal, State, municipal and private) with respect to the financing, planning and design, environmental process, construction, operations, maintenance, and other components. The Development Agreement would also identify the specific objectives of the project and performance measures that would be used to evaluate the success of the project in achieving these objectives.

12. Will there be any DOT resources and commitments to assist with the development of TBCR projects?

    If a project is selected for participation in the TBCR Program, DOT will work with the project sponsor to expedite the delivery of the project. These resources and commitments include:

    1. Federal Transportation Border Congestion Relief Project Team;
    2. Accelerated review and conditional approval of experimental features under the Federal Highway Administration's Special Experimental Project No. 15;
    3. Expedited commitment process for credit assistance under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance Innovation Act;
    4. Priority access to DOT experts;
    5. Other Discretionary Funding - The DOT will work with Applicant(s) to identify other possible discretionary funding sources; and
    6. Tolling and Private Activity Bonds.
    
    
13. Where can an electronic copy of the Federal Register solicitation be obtained?

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded from the Office of the Federal Register's home page at: http://www.archives.gov and the Government Printing Office's Web page at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.

14. Who can be contacted for further information?

    Ms. Alla C. Shaw, Esq. (202) 366-1042, (Alla.Shaw@dot.gov), HCC-30, Room E84-463, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, HCC Team Leader, or Mr. Roger Petzold, Team Leader, Border, Interstate, and GIS Program, (202) 366-4074 (Roger.Petzold@dot.gov), HEPI-10, Room E74-312, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington, DC 20590 from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.