2009 Project Selection Task Force Recommendations

Executive BoardJanuary 22, 2009

2009 Project Selection Task Force

Task Force Purpose

To provide policy guidance and direction to ensure that PSRC’s 2009 project selection process will represent the best thinking of our boards and the agencies they represent.

Chaired by Commissioner Josh Brown with membership from TPB, GMPB, and transit general managers

Met three times from October 8 through November 20

Policy Issues for Task Force Discussion/Recommendation

October 9, 2008: Managing risk of a changing federal program • Background briefing on federal transportation funding• SAFETEA-LU expiration in 2009• Reauthorization vs. a wholesale federal program change• Uncertain Funding Estimates

Oct. 30 • Policy Focus for Project Selection • Funding Estimates & Splits• Contingency Lists

Nov. 20 Regional Set-asides:• Kitsap Countywide• Rural Town Centers & Corridors Program• PSRC Level of Funding• 10% Set-aside for Nonmotorized Projects

Policy Focus

For the regional competition for STP/CMAQ funds, the policy focus is on providing transportation improvements to a center or centers and the corridors that serve them. Centers are defined as regional growth centers and regional manufacturing and industrial centers as identified in VISION 2040.

For the countywide STP/CMAQ competitions and the FTA regional project competition, the policy focus is on providing transportation improvements to a center or centers and the corridors that serve them. Centers are defined as regional growth and regional manufacturing/industrial centers, centers as designated through countywide processes, town centers, and other local centers.

Recommendation: Update the 2006 adopted policy focus as directed by VISION 2040 to fund or prioritize projects and programs in or that serve regional growth centers, manufacturing industrial centers, and other centers as shown below. As new elements, staff should ensure that health benefits and the reduction of greenhouse gases are included in regional and countywide project evaluation criteria.

Funding Estimates

Recommendation: Use the two-year estimates recommended by WSDOT/FTA & PSRC’s technical committees, and continue to monitor SAFETEA-LU reauthorization activities and adjust if needed. The two-year timing is appropriate as Transportation 2040 is scheduled for adoption in 2010, in time for a 2011 project selection process.

STP/CMAQ Funds:Use 2006 actual allocations and program a two-year amount of funds (2011 & 2012) totaling $106.4 million

FTA 5307 & 5309 Funds:Use 2009 authorizations and program a two-year amount of funds totaling $265.6 million

Total estimates would be $372 million for the 2009 project selection process

Funding Splits

For STP/CMAQ Funds: Maintain the current adopted 50/50 funding split between the regional and countywide competitions (recommended by RPEC)

For 5307 & 5309 FTA Funds: Maintain the 86/14 funding split between earned shares to individual transit agencies and a regional competition for the STE FTA Caucus (recommended by the Seattle-Tacoma-Everett FTA Caucus

Recommendation: Recognizing funding needs at all levels in the region,

maintain the adopted 2006 funding splits

Set-Asides

Recommendation:

Maintain the adopted Kitsap Countywide STP Fund Set-Aside

For 5307 & 5309 FTA Funds: Maintain the 86/14 funding split between earned shares to individual transit agencies and a regional competition for the STE FTA Caucus (recommended by the Seattle-Tacoma-Everett FTA Caucus

Agreement by PSRC’s Boards to continue this approach, as Kitsap jurisdictions cannot access PSRC’s CMAQ funds (only areas in region that do not meet, or were once unable to meet, federal air quality standards are eligible)

This approach in place since 1995

Set-Asides

Recommendation:

Maintain the adopted Rural Town Centers & Corridors Program; fund at $2 million STP level

Goal of Program: Identify and integrate rural highway corridor needs with local town center development needs

2002: Pilot program established using $100,000 STP

2003: Following success of pilot program, boards approved implementation of program

2004: Set aside $2 million in regional STP funds to fund/implement program and conduct competition in 2005

2006: Maintained program at $2 million level, competition conducted in 2007 and created contingency lists

Set-Asides

Recommendation:

Maintain the adopted 10% of Total STP/CMAQ for Non-Motorized

By regional agreement PSRC’s federal funds have included this set-aside since 1992 to allow these historically unfunded projects an opportunity to be implemented.

While larger, more regional nonmotorized projects such as trails have competed in the regional competition, smaller scale projects do not compete as well.

Funds are then split among the four countywide forums to recommend projects that help implement local GMA plans.

Set-Asides

PSRC’s Work Program/Budget Request

PSRC takes a portion of the federal funds to support regional transportation planning and programming at PSRC

Funds are programmed as part of PSRC’s adopted budget

Historically between $1-2 million per year in STP funds. In 2006, 5307 FTA funds also used -- $1.14 million -- and $535,000 STP for a total of $1.675 million per year

In order to secure consistent funding, PSRC’s request for the 2009 project selection process is $3.36 million STP: $1.5 million 2011 funds & $750,000 2010 funds FTA 5307: $360,000 2011 & $750,000 2012: Still under

discussion with transit general managers/agencies

Schedule for 2009 Selection Process

October–December 2008: Policy Framework updates and recommendations developed by Task Force

January 2009: Executive Board adopts Framework

February/March: Call for projects issued, workshops conducted

March–June: Regional & Countywide Competitions

July: Projects recommended through FTA Caucuses, Countywide Competitions, and Regional Competitions reviewed by TPB

August: Air Quality Conformity Analysis of draft 2010-13 TIP

September: TPB releases draft 2010-13 TIP for public comment

October: Board action on final 2010-13 TIP

Thank you…questions?