Funding Programs
The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) introduced and the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) continued an emphasis on freight and intermodal planning in the regional and local planning process. TEA-21 provides some Federal funding for multimodal transportation planning at the State Departments of Transportation (SDOT) and Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) levels. Planning studies that address intercity freight or passenger rail projects or improved access can be initiated by MPOs and SDOTs, based on recommendations from their Technical Advisory Committees (TACs) and staff. Private sector freight transportation providers, such as railroads, are encouraged to participate in the planning process, the foundation for project development. Broader membership on these TACs and participation in planning and project development helps to ensure that freight concerns are understood and addressed.
Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 1998 (TIFIA), US Department of Transportation (USDOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
This Program provides credit assistance to large-scale projects of regional or national significance that might otherwise be delayed or not constructed at all because of risk, complexity, or cost. There are three forms of credit assistance available - secured (direct) loans, loan guarantees and standby lines of credit - for surface transportation projects of national or regional significance. Any type of project eligible for Federal assistance through existing surface transportation programs (both highways and transit) is eligible for TIFIA assistance. In addition, the following types of projects are eligible: international bridges and tunnels; inter-city passenger bus and rail facilities and vehicles; and publicly-owned intermodal freight transfer facilities on or adjacent to the National Highway System.
State Infrastructure Bank (SIB), USDOT, FHWA
A SIB functions as a revolving fund that, much like a bank, can offer loans and other credit products to public and private sponsors of Title 23 highway construction projects or Title 49 transit capital projects. Federally capitalized SIBs were first authorized under the provisions of the NHS Act as a Pilot Program, and later expanded to other States under TEA-21. SIB assistance may include loans (at or below market rates), loan guarantees, standby lines of credit, letters of credit, certificates of participation, debt service reserve funds, bond insurance, and other forms of non-grant assistance. As loans are repaid, a SIB's capital is replenished and can be used to support a new cycle of projects.
Flexible Match, USDOT, FHWA
Flexible match allows a wide variety of public and private contributions to be counted toward the non-Federal match of Federal-aid projects. The NHS Act and TEA-21 introduced new flexibility to the matching requirements for the Federal-aid program by allowing certain public donations of cash, land, materials, and services to satisfy the non-Federal matching requirement. Flexible match provisions increase a state's ability to fund its transportation programs by accelerating certain projects that receive donated resources; allowing states to reallocate funds that otherwise would have been used to meet Federal-aid matching requirements; and promoting public-private partnerships by providing incentives to seek private donations. The value of the private railroad's contribution of materials, equipment, and labor was credited toward the match.
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program, USDOT, FHWA
Eligibility: The CMAQ program provides over $8.1 billion dollars in funds to State DOTs, MPOs, and transit agencies to invest in projects that reduce criteria air pollutants regulated from transportation-related sources over a period of six years (1998-2003). The TEA-21 CMAQ program is similar to its ISTEA predecessor, but it features greater program flexibility, several new program options, an expansion of eligible activities available for funding and the statutory formula for apportioning funds was redesigned to provide a more equitable distribution.
National Corridor Planning & Development Program Coordinated Border Infrastructure Program (CORBOR Program), USDOT, FHWA
Eligibility: The NCPD and the CBI programs were established to provide funding for planning, project development, construction and operation of projects that serve border regions near Canada and Mexico and for high priority corridors throughout the United States. States and Metropolitan Planning Organizations are eligible for discretionary grants for corridor feasibility, corridor planning, multi-state coordination, environmental review, and construction under the NCPD program. Border states and MPOs are eligible for grants for transportation and safety infrastructure improvements, operation and regulatory improvements and coordination and inspection improvements in border regions under the CBI program.
National Highway System (NHS) Funds, USDOT, FHWA
Eligibility: A broad range of road construction and rehabilitation on designated Federal highway systems (the 163,000 miles of the NHS, including connectors to major intermodal facilities). NHS funds can be used to improve almost any highway network link to accommodate intermodal movements, including truck or rail freight. States may transfer up to 50 percent of NHS funds to the STP program.
Surface Transportation Program (STP) Funds,USDOT, FHWA
Eligibility: Provides flexible funding that may be used by State DOTs and localities for projects on any Federal-aid highway, including the NHS, bridge projects on any public road, transit capital projects, and intracity and intercity bus terminals and facilities. A portion of the STP funds are set-aside for use on railway-highway crossing hazard elimination in designated high speed rail corridors (23 USC 130 and 152).
Transportation and Community and System Preservation (TCSP) Pilot Program, USDOT, FHWA
Eligibility: TCSP funds are used to help achieve locally determined goals such as improving transportation efficiency; reducing the negative effects of transportation on the environment; providing better access to jobs, services and trade centers; reducing the need for costly future infrastructure; and revitalizing underdeveloped and brownfield sites. Funds can also be used to examine urban development patterns and create strategies that encourage private companies to work toward these goals in designing new developments.
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tcsp and at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/t-c-sp.htm
Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing (RRIF) Program,USDOT,Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
This Program offers opportunities for implementing a wide variety of railroad projects and meeting some of the critical capital investment needs of the rail industry. Under the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program (RRIF), established by the TEA-21, FRA may provide direct loans and loan guarantees to be used for acquiring, improving, or rehabilitating intermodal or rail equipment or facilities, including track, components of track, bridges, yards, buildings and shops; refinancing outstanding debt incurred for the purposes listed above; and developing or establishing new intermodal or railroad facilities. Eligible borrowers include railroads, state and local governments, government-sponsored authorities and corporations, and joint ventures that include at least one railroad.
Section 330 Funding, USDOT, FRA
Funding for section 330 Projects was first provided in the Conference Report accompanying the USDOT and Related Agencies Act for FY 2002 (Public Law 107-87, December 18, 2001. FRA administered six projects (out of 55 identified projects) valued at $11.75 million. FY 2003 saw the list of Section 330 projects grow, with eight being administered by FRA with a total budget of $25.9 million.
