SEP-16 / Submitted Documents by State /

Statement of Interest for SPR Work Plan

January 7, 2020

 

From: Nebraska Department of Transportation

TO: FHWA Division Administrator Nebraska Office

SUBJECT: SEP-16 Letter of Interest – Statewide Planning Work Program Amendment Assumption

Under the FHWA established Special Experimental Project (SEP-16) authority granted in 23 U.S.C. 502(b) "General Authority: (1) Research, development, and technology transfer activities. - The Secretary may carry out research, development, and technology transfer activities with respect to - (A) motor carrier transportation; (B) all phases of transportation planning." Which effectively allows States to test and evaluate the delegation of program-level responsibilities of the Federal-aid highway program. Nebraska DOT is submitting a Letter of Interest to request delegation of amendment approvals for the Statewide Work Program in an experimental capacity.

NDOT would like FHWA to delegate the authority to approve the Statewide Work Program amendments to NDOT. This would eliminate the need to wait on implementing the program or any changes until after FHWA has reviewed it and acquired all necessary signatures. This wait time is anywhere from one to three weeks depending on the workload at the regional office. NDOT is willing to add internal checks to our process to minimize the chance of impropriety. NDOT also holds bi-weekly meetings with our regional FHWA planning representative to discuss issues and ask questions. These meetings provide valuable information and assist in keeping NDOT up to date on changes in policies and allows us to pose questions regarding eligibility of tasks for federal funding.

 

Sincerely,