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Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU)

Fact Sheets on Highway Provisions

COORDINATED BORDER INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM

Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Authorization $123M $145M $165M $190M $210M

Program Purpose

To improve the safe movement of motor vehicles at or across the land border between the U.S. and Canada and the land border between the U.S. and Mexico. This program replaces the TEA-21 Coordinated Border Infrastructure discretionary program which ends after 2005.

Statutory References

SAFETEA-LU Section(s): 1101(a)(11), 1303

Funding/Formula

Funded by contract authority, funds are subject to the overall Federal-aid obligation limitation, not transferable except as permitted for transfer to GSA (see below), and remain available until expended.

Funds are to be apportioned among border States based on factors related to the movement of people and goods through the land border ports of entry within the boundaries of the State as follows:

  • 20% based on number of incoming commercial trucks
  • 30% number of incoming personal motor vehicles and buses
  • 25% based on weight of incoming cargo by commercial trucks
  • 25% based on number of land border ports of entry

For FY 2005, $140 million is provided for the combination of the National Corridor Planning and Development and Coordinated Border Infrastructure discretionary programs under Sections 1118 and 1119 of TEA-21 to be administered under the terms of those sections.. [1101(a)(19)]

Eligible Use of Funds

States may use funds in a border region, defined as any portion of a border State within 100 miles of an international land border with Canada or Mexico, for the following types of improvements to facilitate/expedite cross border motor vehicle and cargo movements:

  • improvements to existing transportation and supporting infrastructure
  • construction of highways and related safety and safety enforcement facilities related to international trade
  • operational improvements, including those related to electronic data interchange and use of telecommunications
  • modifications to regulatory procedures
  • international coordination of transportation planning, programming, and border operation with Canada and Mexico.

Program Features

Projects in Canada or Mexico – a border State may use these funds to construct a project in Canada or Mexico if the project directly and predominantly facilitates cross-border vehicle and cargo movement at an international port of entry in the border region of the State. Canada/Mexico must assure that the project will be constructed to standards equivalent to those in the US, and be maintained and used over the useful life of the facility onlyfor the purpose for which the funds were allocated.

Transfers to General Services Administration (GSA) – if a border State requests, the Secretary approves, and GSA agrees, up to 15% or $5M (whichever is less) of the State's border program funds may be transferred to GSA to carry out 1 or more eligible projects. The State must provide the non-Federal share directly to GSA.

Federal Share

The Federal share is generally 80 percent, subject to the sliding scale adjustment. When the funds are used for Interstate projects to add high occupancy vehicle or auxiliary lanes, but not other lanes, the Federal share may be 90 percent, also subject to the sliding scale adjustment. Certain safety improvements listed in 23 USC 120(c) have a Federal share of 100 percent.


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