Discretionary Programs

Discretionary ProgramsAlbert Soares-Program Coordinator(916)653-7140

Evelyn Williams-Program Assistant(916)651-8903

DLA Discretionary Programs Ferry Boat Discretionary (FBD)Interstate Maintenance Discretionary (IMD)Public Lands Highways Discretionary (PLHD)Highways for Life (HfL)Innovative Bridge Research & Deployment (IBRD)Innovative Bridge Research & Construction (IBRC)National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation (NHCBR)Forest Highways (FH)

Non-DLA Discretionary Programs Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovative Act (TIFIA) Office of Innovative FinancingNational Scenic Byways (NSB)Division of DesignCoordinated Border Infrastructure (CBI)Division of Transportation PlanningTolling Program/Value Pricing Pilot Program (VPPP)Federal Resources OfficeTruck Parking Facilities (TPF)Federal Resources OfficeFerry Boat Discretionary (FBD) Program

The Ferry Boat Discretionary (FBD) Program provides a special funding category for the construction of ferry boats and ferry terminal facilities and was created by section 1064 of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA).Background 80%

Federal ShareUntil expended or rescinded by CongressPeriod of AvailabilityEligibilityFBD funds are available for construction/improvement to ferry boats or ferry boat terminals where it is not feasible to build a bridge, tunnel, combination thereof, or other normal highway structure in lieu of the use of such ferry.

The ferry boat or ferry terminal facility is publicly owned or operated or majority publicly owned if the Secretary determines, with respect to a majority publicly owned ferry or ferry terminal facility, that such ferry boat or ferry terminal facility provides substantial public benefits.

The operation of the ferry is on a route classified as a public road within the State and which has not been designated as a route on the Interstate System.

Ferry may be operated only within the State (including the islands which comprise the State of Hawaii and the islands which comprise any territory of the United States) or between adjoining States or between a point in a State and a point in the Dominion of Canada.

Eligibility (cont)The operating authority and the amount of fares charged for passage on such ferry shall be under the control of the State or other public entity.Control by a public entity means that the public entity establishes or approves the route and has oversight of the schedule, public access,safety, etc.,forthe ferry.The public entity must approve fares and verify that it is within the requirements for the program.

All revenues derived therefrom shall be applied to actual and necessary costs of operation, maintenance andrepair, debt service, negotiated management fees, and, in the case of a privately operated toll ferry, for a reasonable rate of return.Projects Designated by CongressProjects specified in public law by CongressApplication required after passage of actApplication submitted to Division of Local Assistance (DLA) by local agenciesCaltrans submits applications to FHWA for award

Projects Not Designated by CongressProjects are not specified in public law by CongressApplication required after formal solicitation by FHWAApplication submitted to DLA by local agenciesCaltrans submits applications to FHWA for considerationProjects Not Designated by CongressPriorities23 USC 147(c): The Secretary shall give priority in the allocation of funds under this section to those ferry systems, and public entities responsible for developing ferries that:provide critical access to areas that are not well-served by other modes of surface transportation.carry the greatest number of passengers and vehicles.carry the greatest number of passengers in passenger-only service.

Projects Not Designated by CongressPriorities (cont)FHWA will consider the following additional factors in the evaluation of candidates for this program:Expeditious completion of project State priorities Leveraging of private or other public funding Amount of FBD funding National geographic distribution of funding within the FBD program Congressional direction or guidance Solicitations usually occur once per year after the passage of the federal budget actSolicitationsVarious FBD funding$3,200,000San Francisco Bay Area Water Transit Ferry

161999 FBD Funding $1,200,000

Long Beach Aquabus

2009 FBD Funding$475,000Larkspur Ferry Terminal Parking Improvements

Interstate Maintenance Discretionary (IMD) Program

The Interstate Maintenance Discretionary (IMD) Program provides funding for resurfacing, restoration, rehabilitation and reconstruction (4R) work, including added lanes to increase capacity, on most existing Interstate System routes. This discretionary program was first established by the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 and was known as the I-4R Discretionary Program.BackgroundFederal share of the costs for most projects eligible under this program is 90percent. However, the Federal share is 80 percent on projects, or the portion of projects, for work involving added single-occupancy vehicle lanes to increase capacity.Federal ShareUntil expended or rescinded by CongressPeriod of AvailabilityEligibilityIMD funds are available for resurfacing, restoring, rehabilitating and reconstructing (4R) work, including added lanes, on the Interstate System.

Not eligible for allocation of IMD funds are projects on any highway designated as a part of the Interstate System under section 139 of 23 U.S.C., as in effect before the enactment of TEA-21, and any toll road on the Interstate System not subject to an agreement under section 119(e) of 23 U.S.C., as in effect on December 17, 1991. Also not eligible are projects on any highway added to the Interstate System under section 103(c)(4) of 23 U.S.C. and section 1105(e)(5)(A) of ISTEA. Any proposed or future Interstate route is also not eligible for IMD funds. The website http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/reports/routefinder/table3.cfm may assist in this determination.

Eligibility (cont)Under the provisions of 23U.S.C.118(c)(2), a State is eligible to receive an allocation of IMD funds, if it has obligated or demonstrates that it will obligate in the fiscal year all of its Interstate Maintenance (IM) funds apportioned under section 104(b)(4) of 23 U.S.C., other than an amount which, by itself, is insufficient to pay the Federal share of the cost of a project which has been submitted by the State for approval.

The State must be willing and able to obligate the IMD funds within 1 year of the date the funds are made available, apply the funds to a ready-to-commence project, and in the case of construction work, begin work within 90 days after obligation.

Projects Designated by CongressProjects specified in public law by CongressProjects description must fit within the legislated descriptionApplication required after passage of actApplication submitted to Division of Local Assistance (DLA) by local agenciesCaltrans submits applications to FHWA for award

Projects Not Designated by CongressProjects are not specified in public law by CongressApplication required after formal solicitation by FHWAApplication submitted to Division of Local Assistance (DLA) by local agenciesCaltrans submits applications to FHWA for considerationProjects Not Designated by CongressPrioritiesUnder the provisions of 23U.S.C.118(c)(3), priority consideration shall be given to any project where the cost of which exceeds $10 million on any high volume route in an urban area or a high truck-volume route in a rural area.FHWA has not established regulatory criteria for selection of IMD projects; however, in its annual solicitation, FHWA notes that the following criteria are also considered in the evaluation of candidates for this program:Leveraging of private or other public funding - Because the annual requests for funding far exceed the available IMD funds, commitment of other funding sources to complement the requested IMD funds is an important factor. State priorities - For States that submit more than one project, consideration is given to the individual State's priorities. Expeditious completion of project - Preference is also given to requests that will expedite the completion of a viable project over requests for initial funding of a project that will require a long-term commitment of future IMD funding. For large-scale projects, consideration is given to the State's total funding plan to expedite the completion of the project. Transportation benefits that will be derived upon completion of the project.

Solicitations usually occur once per year after the passage of the federal budget act

Solicitations2004, 2005, 2006 IMD Funding$2,300,000

I-10/Cypress Avenue Overcrossing

Reyes-Adobe Interchange Project2006 IMD Funding$850,000

Public Lands Highways Discretionary (PLHD) ProgramThe Public Lands Highways (PLH) Program was originally established in 1930 by the Amendment Relative to Construction of Roads through Public Lands and Federal Reservations. Funding was provided from the General Fund of the Treasury. The intent of the program is to improve access to and within the Federal lands of the nation. The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1970 changed the funding source for the program from the General Fund to the Highway Trust Fund, effective in fiscal year (FY) 1972. The program has been continued with each highway or transportation act since then.

Background 100%

Federal Share4 years (year awarded plus 3 years)

Period of AvailabilityPLHD EligibilityUnder the provisions of 23 U.S.C. 202(b)(1)(A), the funds shall be allocated among those States having unappropriated or unreserved public lands, nontaxable Indian lands or other Federal reservations, on the basis of need in such States. Since all of the States have some Federal lands, all are eligible to apply for PLHD funding.PLH funds are available for any kind of transportation project eligible for assistance under Title 23, United States Code, that is within, adjacent to, or provides access to Federal lands or facilities.PLH funds are available for transportation planning, research, engineering, and construction of the highways, roads, and parkways, and of transit facilities within the Federal public lands.PLH funds are also available for operation and maintenance of transit facilities located on Federal public lands.

PLHD Eligibility (cont)Eligible projects under the PLH program may also include the following:Transportation planning for tourism and recreational travel, including the National Forest Scenic Byways Program, Bureau of Land Management Back Country Byways Program, National Trail System Program, and other similar Federal programs that benefit recreational development.Adjacent vehicular parking areas.Interpretive signage.Acquisition of necessary scenic easements and scenic or historic sites.Provisions for pedestrians and bicycles.Construction and reconstruction of roadside rest areas, including sanitary and water facilities.Other appropriate public road facilities such as visitor centers as determined by the Secretary.

The Secretary shall give preference to those projects which are significantly impacted by Federal land and resource management activities that are proposed by a State that contain at least 3 percent of the total public land in the United States (includes California).Selection CriteriaSolicitations usually occur once per year after the passage of the federal budget act

Solicitations

Agua Caliente Cultural Museum-Various Projects2002, 2005, 2006 PLHD Funding$4,300,000392003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 PLHD Funding$12.7 Million

Needles Highway Roadway Realignment and Safety Improvements

Innovative Bridge Research and Deployment (IBRD) Program

The Innovative Bridge Research and Deployment (IBRD) program was established by Section 5202 (b)(2) of Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), Public Law 109-59 on August 10, 2005, to promote, demonstrate, evaluate, and document the application of innovative designs, materials, and construction methods in the construction, repair, and rehabilitation of bridges and other highway structures.BackgroundIn accordance with 23 U.S.C. 503(b) (5), the Secretary shall determine the Federal share of the costs for any project eligible under this program. The FHWA Administrator recommends for approval to the Secretary the Federal share for each project considering several factors, including the innovation parts of the project, the amount of funds requested for the project, and the available funding for the program.

Federal Share4 years (year awarded plus 3 years)Period of AvailabilityEligibilityFunds are available for bridge projects that meet one or more of the eight program goals listed in Section 5202 (b)(2) of SAFETEA-LU, Public Law 109-59: The development of new, cost-effective, innovative highway bridge applications; The development of construction techniques to increase safety and reduce construction time and traffic congestion; The development of engineering design criteria for innovative products, materials, and structural systems for use in highway bridges and structures; The reduction of maintenance costs and life-cycle costs of bridges, including costs of new construction, replacement or rehabilitation of deficient bridges; The development of highway bridges and structures that will withstand natural disasters: The documentation and wide dissemination of objective evaluations of the performance and benefits of these innovative designs, materials, and construction methods; The effective transfer of resulting information and technology; and The development of improved methods to detect bridge scour and economical bridge foundation designs that will withstand bridge scour. The project may be on any public roadway, including State and locally funded projects. Funds may be used for costs of preliminary engineering, repair, rehabilitation, or construction of bridges or other highway structures, and costs of project performance evaluation and performance monitoring of the structure following construction.

Selection CriteriaProjects that will meet one or more of the goals of the program as listed in the Eligibility Section and the benefits listed in the solicitation memorandum with a particular emphasis that the technologies and/or processes developed will be put into standard practice by the State; Projects that have been funded for design, construction or rehabilitation and are ready or will be ready for construction by fiscal year 2012.Project/s that leverages Federal funds with other public or private resources.

In addition, the FHWA may consider:State priorities - For States that submit more than one project application, consideration is also given to the individual State's priorities if specified. Availability of innovative material and/or innovative material product - and projects that apply an innovative material and/or a product made of an innovative material, which is readily available for application in other projects and in other States. Expeditious completion of project in a timely manner. For large-scale projects, consideration is given to the State's total funding plan to expedite the completion of the project. Leveraging of private or other public funding - Because the annual requests for funding far exceed the available IBRD funds, commitment of other funding sources to complement the requested IBRD funding is also a consideration. Solicitations usually occur once per year after the passage of the federal budget act

Solicitations2006 IBRD Funding$120,000Uvas Creek Bridge, Rte 152

2009 IBRD Funding$200,000Slide Canyon Bridge, State Route 2

Innovative Bridge Research and Construction (IBRC) Program

The Innovative Bridge Research & Construction (IBRC) Program was established with the passage of TEA-21 and was funded by Congress for six years, FY 1998 - FY 2003. With the current extension of TEA-21 for 20 months (through May 31, 2005), the IBRC program had been authorized, with full funding for FY 2004 and with at least partial funding, for FY 2005 as well. The program was intended to demonstrate the application of innovative material technology in the construction of bridges and other highway structures, and had two components. The larger component provided funds for repair, rehabilitation, replacement, or new construction of bridges and other highway structures using innovative materials. The smaller component was intended to support research and technology transfer activities related to the programs goals. This program has not been funded since 2005BackgroundIn accordance with 23 U.S.C. 503(b) (5), the Secretary shall determine the Federal share of the costs for any project eligible under this program. The FHWA Administrator recommends for approval to the Secretary the Federal share for each project considering several factors, including the innovation parts of the project, the amount of funds requested for the project, and the available funding for the program.

Federal Share4 years (year awarded plus 3 years)Period of AvailabilityEligibilityFunds are available for repair, rehabilitation, replacement, and new construction of bridges and other highway structures that demonstrate the application of innovative materials.Funds are available for bridge projects that meet one or more of the seven program goals listed in Section 503(b)(2) of Title V Transportation Research. The project may be on any public roadway, including State and locally funded projects. Funds are available for costs of preliminary engineering, repair, rehabilitation, or construction of bridges or other highway structures, and costs of project performance evaluation including instrumentation and performance monitoring of the structure following construction. Proprietary Products As this is a research and experimental program, it is in the public interest that proprietary and sole source products may be included in the projects, but they must be clearly identified and described.

Selection CriteriaThe Secretary shall select and approve the applications based on whether the project that is the subject of the grant meets the goals of the program as described in the following:The development of new, cost effective, innovative material highway bridge applications. The reduction of maintenance costs and life cycle costs of bridges, including the costs of new construction, replacement, or rehabilitation of deficient bridges. The development of construction techniques to increase safety and reduce construction time and traffic congestion. The development of engineering design criteria for innovative products and materials for use in highway bridges and structures. The development of cost effective and innovative techniques to separate vehicle and pedestrian traffic from railroad traffic. The development of highway bridges and structures that will withstand natural disasters, including alternative processes for the seismic retrofit of bridges. The development of new nondestructive bridge evaluation technologies and techniques.

The following criteria are used to evaluate the submitted candidates for selection.Projects which will meet one or more of the goals of the program in Section 503(b). Projects which will incorporate innovative materials and/or products that are readily available. Projects ready for or near the construction phase will be given priority consideration. Projects with designs that are repeatable or have widespread application. Projects that leverage Federal funds with other significant public or private resources will be given preference. Projects were only solicited for ffy 2005

Solicitations2005 IBRC Funding$400,000U.S. 395 over LA Aqueduct

National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation (NHCBP) Program

The NHCBP program was established by Section 1804 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy For Users (SAFETEA-LU) Public Law 109-59, and continued under the current continuing resolution. The NHCBP program provides for two types of projects. One type is a grant to assist the States in carrying out the rehabilitation, repair, and/or preservation of historic covered bridges. The other focuses on the research and education on and about historic covered bridges. For the purposes of the program, the term "historic covered bridge" means a covered bridge that is listed or eligible for listing on the National Register for Historic Places.BackgroundFederal Share80%Until ExpendedPeriod of AvailabilityEligibility and Selection CriteriaGrants will be considered to States submitting eligible projects that demonstrate a need for assistance in carrying out one or more eligible projects as outlined below:to rehabilitate or repair a historic covered bridge; to preserve a historic covered bridge through installation of a fire protection system, including a fireproofing or fire detection system and sprinklers; installation of a system to prevent vandalism and arson; or relocation of a bridge to a preservation site. To ensure the bridges retain their historical significance, grants will be awarded for projects only if:to the maximum extent practicable, the project is carried out in the most historically appropriate manner; and preserves the existing structure of the historic covered bridge; and the project provides for the replacement of wooden components, with wooden components, unless the use of wood is impracticable for safety reasons. Solicitations usually occur once per year after the passage of the federal budget act

Solicitations2001 NHCBP Funding$165,000Wawona Covered Bridge, Yosemite CA

2011 NHCBP Funding$248,238

Felton Covered Bridge, Santa Cruz, CA

Highways for Life (HfL) Program

The Highways for LIFE Pilot Program was established in 2005 under SAFETEA-LU Section(s) 1101(a)(20), 1502. The purpose of the pilot program was to advance longer lasting highways using innovative technologies and practices to accomplish the fast construction of efficient and safe highways and bridges.The program provides funding to demonstrate and promote state-of-the-art technologies, elevated performance standards, and new business practices in the highway construction process that result in improved safety, faster construction, reduced congestion from construction, and improved quality and user satisfaction. For each proposed project the State must be willing to consider making a standard practice of the innovation after a successful demonstration.Background 20% and