Federal Funding Challenges and Opportunities

David VozzoloVice PresidentNational Transit Planning and Project Development

Decision to Pursue Federal Funds?

• Impact on project schedule and cost• Project “competitiveness” in FTA rating• Fit within regional program of projects• Congressional support and commitment• Demonstrated local public, government

and business support

Current USDOT Funding Sources

FTA Formula Grant Programs 5303, 5304, 5305 – Metropolitan/Statewide Planning 5307 – Large Urban Cities (Formula Funds)

USDOT Flexible Funds STP - Surface Transportation Program CMAQ - Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality NHS - National Highway System

FTA Discretionary Grant Programs Funds awarded competitively 5339 – Alternatives Analysis 5309 – Capital Assistance TCSP - Transportation, Community, System Preservation

FTA Small Starts Program

New program introduced in 2005

$200M annually authorized

Congressional intent to simplify requirements and speed-up project delivery

Fixed guideways, or Corridor bus projects are eligible

Total cost under $250 M andSmall Starts share under $75 M

Alternatives Analysis

Project Development

Project Construction Grant Agreement

Construction

Summary Rating

Project Justification Rating

Financial Rating

Non-New Starts Share

(20%)

Capital Finances

(50%)

Operating Finances

(30%)

Other Factors

Cost Effectiveness

(33%)

Land Use

(33%)

Economic Development

(33%)

Small Starts Project Ratings

Also Must Meet Minimum Project Development Requirements

6

Federal Funding Cycle Process Overview

Mid to Late Summer Annual Report Submittals due to FTA

Early Fall FTA and DOT begin budget discussions with OMB

November FTA completes evaluations/ratings

December FTA finalizes Annual Report (reflects conditions as of November)

February Annual Report published (includes funding recommendations and evaluations/ratings)

October or later Appropriations

Federal Partnership for Sustainable Communities

HUD-DOT-EPA

Six Partnership Principles

Provide more transportation choices

Expand location- and energy-efficient housing choices

Improve economic competitiveness of neighborhoods by giving people reliable access to employment centers, educational opportunities, and other basic services.

Target Federal funding toward existing communities – through transit-oriented development and place-based policies

Align federal policies and funding to remove barriers to collaboration, leverage funding and increase the effectiveness of existing programs.

Enhance the unique characteristics of all communities, whether rural, suburban or urban.

FY 2010 Livability Funding Opportunities

US HUD

• Sustainable Community Planning Grants($100 m)

• Sustainable Community Challenge Grants($40 m)

US DOT

• TIGER I ($1.5b)

• TIGER II• Capital ($570m)• Planning ($30m)

• Urban Circulator($135 m)

• Bus Livability ($150 m)

• Alternatives Analysis ($25.7m)

• TCSP ($3.5 m)

US EPA

• Smart Growth Technical Assistance

• Sustainable Communities Brownfields Pilots

• Clean Water State Revolving Fund Pilots

• Targeted Watershed Grants ($600 m)

FTA Streetcar Funding Actions

May 2009 – FTA Small Starts Program Portland, OR - Eastside Extension - $75 m

Feb 2010 – Recovery Act TIGER I Dallas – Downtown Streetcar - $23 m Detroit – M1/Woodward Ave -$25 m New Orleans – Union Passenger Terminal/Loyola Loop - $45 m Portland, OR - SW Moody St. & Streetcar Reconstruction - $23 m Tucson – Modern Streetcar - $63 m

April 2010 – FTA Research Program Domestic streetcar propulsion -$2.4 m

Spring 2010 - Urban Circulator (Small Starts ) - $130 m 65 applications seeking $1 billion – Decisions in July 2010

Fall 2010 - TIGER II – $600 m - Pre-Applications due by July 26

Urban Circulator Grants Awarded in July 2010

AwardsCharlotte, NCChicago, ILCincinnati, OHDallas, TXFort Worth, TXSt. Louis, MO

Not AwardedTucson, AZNew Orleans, LAPortland, ORLos Angeles, CASacramento, CACripple Creek, COGreeley, COFayetteville, NCSan Antonio, TXSalt Lake City, UTWashington, DC

The Times They Are A’Changin

• Administrative fixes to some previous rules

• Assembling available funds for circulator and transit projects

• Proposed Rulemaking on New Starts and Small Starts

• Re-Authorization of Transportation Program