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

Fact Sheets on Highway Provisions

DELTA REGION TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Authorization $0 $10 M $10 M $10 M $10 M

Program Purpose

To support and encourage multistate transportation planning and corridor development, provide for transportation project development, facilitate transportation decisionmaking and support transportation construction in the eight States comprising the Delta Region (Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee).

Statutory References

SAFETEA-LU Section(s): 1308, 1923

Funding

Funded by contract authority, to remain available until expended. Contract authority is not subject for transfer and is subject to the overall Federal-aid obligation limitation. [1308]

Funds are distributed at the discretion of the Secretary of Transportation giving priority to projects that emphasize multimodal planning, including planning for operational improvements that—

  • increase the mobility of people and goods
  • improve the safety of the transportation system with respect to catastrophic natural disasters or disasters caused by human activity
  • contribute to the economic vitality of the area in which the project is located.

Eligible Use of Funds

Eligible uses are multistate highway planning, development and construction projects with projects selected on the basis of—

  • whether the project is in an area under the authority of the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) and on a Federal-aid highway
  • endorsement of the project by the State department of transportation
  • evidence of the ability of the recipient of funds provided under the program to complete the project.

State departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations are eligible recipients of funds under this program.

Federal Share

The Federal share is 80 percent, subject to the sliding scale adjustment. Delta funds may be used as the non-Federal share of the costs of projects funded under 23 USC.

Transportation Assets and Needs of Delta Region [1923]

The Secretary of Transportation is to enter into an agreement with the DRA to conduct a comprehensive study of transportation assets and needs for all modes of transportation, including passenger and freight transportation, in the eight-State Delta region. In conducting the study, the DRA is to consult with the Delta region's State and local governments and planning organizations. The DRA is to submit to the Secretary and the House Transportations and Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee a final report on the results of the study along with any recommendations the DRA considers appropriate. Upon completion of the report, the DRA is to establish a regional strategic plan to implement the recommendations of the report. Funding for the study and plan, $500,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 and 2006, is contract authority, subject to the obligation limitation, available until extended, and may not be transferred.


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