115966 | CMAQ Project Engineering/Management

This line item will ensure the timely selection and delivery of traditional and non-traditional local projects in an effort to enhance the transportation system within our region. Funding from a Transportation Improvement Program line item enables DVRPC staff to assist PennDOT with the implementation of traditional and non-traditional projects by serving as adjunct project and program managers. This assistance will generally involve facilitation and coordination among the project sponsor and their team, local governments, the public, the PennDOT district office, PennDOTs central office staff, and the FHWA in order to develop a project to the point of construction.
The current federal authorizing legislation for highways and transit includes funding for bicycle and pedestrian transportation projects such as multi-use trails, streetscapes, bike lanes and historic transportation structure restorations, as well as projects that contribute to the attainment of the Clean Air Act by reducing emissions from highway sources. The three current categories of federal funding for these non-traditional transportation projects are: Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality, and the Surface Transportation Program.
TIP funds are also provided to the sub-regions through the Local Concept Development, Local Lead, and Highway Safety Improvement Programs in New Jersey. The goal of the Local Concept Development program is to complete a study that identifies potential alternatives, identifies any environmental issues, and completes a conceptual design. This will ensure that projects that move into Preliminary Engineering are ready to move forward in a timely manner and are eligible for inclusion in the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). As part of this work, staff will also continue to assist counties and municipalities with Federal Aid Highway Program requirement compliance. Completion of this work may require the purchase of equipment or services.
For more information, see the following website: http://www.dvrpc.org/ProjectImplementation/
Tasks
1. For each program, as appropriate, establish a Steering Committee and develop a process for project application and selection.
2. Develop project application and guidance materials in coordination with the DOTs. Establish evaluation criteria and process. Solicit, screen, and evaluate candidate projects.
3. Conduct public information sessions, respond to questions, and provide assistance to applicants, as appropriate.
4. Recommend selected projects to the DVRPC Board.
5. Prepare requests for proposals, solicit proposals, and in concert with the appropriate county, evaluate proposals received.
6. Prepare consultant selection documentation and files, when required.
7. Prepare consultant agreements, establish accounting procedures, arrange methods of progress, and expenditure reporting, when required.
8. Coordinate activities leading to the implementation of the project within its planned time frame, maintain costs within the budget, and ensure that applicable federal and state standards are observed.
9. Submit the consultants final documents to the DOTs for approval. DVRPC, in cooperation with the DOTs, will prepare and submit when required, the appropriate documents for federal approval on each project phase.
10. Work with the DOTs to update schedules, costs, and statuses of each project in the respective DOT system, as needed.
11. Prepare status reports that will be posted on the DVRPC website.
Any work done in or for New Jersey is funded via the New Jersey TIP.