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MAP-21 - Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century

Home / MAP-21 / Fact Sheets / Tribal Transportation Program (TTP)

This MAP-21 fact sheet has been superseded by a FAST Act fact sheet.

Tribal Transportation Program (TTP)

Year 2013 2014
Authorization $ 450 M $ 450 M

Program purpose

The purpose of the TTP is to provide access to basic community services to enhance the quality of life in Indian country. The TTP replaces the former Indian Reservation Roads (IRR) program.

Statutory citation(s): MAP-21 §1119; 23 USC 201, 202

Funding features

Funded by contract authority from the Highway Account of the Highway Trust Fund. Funds are subject to the overall Federal-aid obligation limitation.

Formula

Funds will be allocated among the Tribes using a new statutory formula based on tribal population, road mileage and average tribal shares of SAFETEA-LU IRR funding. For the new formula, tribal shares are determined as follows, using FY 2012 national tribal transportation facility inventory data and the most recent population data on American Indian/Alaska Native Reservation or Statistical Area, as computed under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA, 25 USC 4101 et seq.):

The new formula is to be phased in over a 4-year transition period as follows:

[§1119; 23 USC 202(b)(3)]

Set-asides

Prior to distribution to Tribes, the following amounts may be deducted:

Tribal supplemental funding -- The amount to be set aside is determined as follows:

Tribal supplemental funding is to be initially distributed to BIA regions based on the cumulative tribal shares in each region, and further distributed to Tribes within the region.

[§1119; 23 USC 202(b)(3)(C)]

High Priority Projects -- The former regulatory IRR High Priority Projects Program does not continue as a program set-aside. However, MAP-21 Section 1123 establishes a new Tribal High Priority Projects Program, modeled after the former program and funded out of the General Fund. (See separate fact sheet). [§1119; 23 USC 202(b)(3)(A)(ii)].

Non-Federal share

TTP and Federal Lands Transportation Program (FLTP) funds may be used to pay the non-Federal share for any project funded under 23 USC or chapter 53 of 49 USC that provides access to or within Federal or tribal land. [§1508; 23 USC 120(k)]

Federal share: 100%. [§1119; 23 USC 201(b)(7)]

Eligible activities

TTP funds may be used by the Secretary and the Secretary of Interior to pay the costs of the following activities:

* Limitation on maintenance -- Tribal share formula funds can be used by a Tribe for maintenance of tribal transportation facilities, up to a limit of 25% of the allocation to the Tribe or $500,000, whichever is greater. This limitation does not apply to road sealing, which is not subject to any limitation. The Secretary of the Interior must verify that this maintenance funding does not supplant maintenance funding provided by the BIA for road maintenance programs on Indian reservations.

[§1119; 23 USC 202(a)]

Program features

Definition

Tribal transportation facility -- A public highway, road, bridge, trail, or transit system that is located on or provides access to tribal land and appears on the national tribal transportation facility inventory described in 23 USC 202(b)(1). [§1103; 23 USC 101(a)(31)]

Tribal transportation facility inventory

The Secretary of the Interior, in cooperation with DOT, is required to maintain an inventory of tribal transportation facilities eligible for the TTP. The inventory is used to determine relative transportation needs among Indian tribes, serving as a basis for allocation of funds. The inventory includes, at a minimum, facilities that are eligible for assistance under the TTP that a Tribe has requested, including facilities that—

[§1119; 23 USC 202(b)(1)(B)]

Tribal transportation facility bridges

Funded by a set-aside of up to 2% from TTP funds. The Secretary is required to maintain a nationwide priority program for improving deficient bridges eligible for the TTP.

[§1119; 23 USC 202(d)]

Safety projects

Funded by set-aside of up to 2% from TTP funds. Upon application of Indian tribal governments, funds are to be allocated by the Secretary based on an identification and analysis of highway safety issues and opportunities on tribal lands. Supports safety projects, studies, roadside safety audits, and other title 23-eligible safety activities. [§1119; 23 USC 202(e)]

Federal-aid eligible projects

Use of TTP funds for projects that would be eligible for Federal-aid funds apportioned to States under 23 USC 104 must be supplemental to, and not in lieu of, the use of such funds. [§1119; 23 USC 202(f)]

Program administration

Page last modified on September 12, 2013
Federal Highway Administration | 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Washington, DC 20590 | 202-366-4000