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NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
New Jersey Department of Transportation


Federal Aid Handbook


Procedures for Federal Aid


























Prepared by:
Local Aid Quality Improvement Team
2003


James E. McGreevey







John F. Lettiere
Governor







Commissioner

Preface


The New Jersey Department of Transportation is committed to advancing
projects that enhance safety and renew the aging infrastructure. The Federal Aid
Programs are a method by which the Department can work with Metropolitan Planning
Organizations, County and Municipal Governments and non-profit organizations to
improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the states transportation system.


This booklet is intended to be a guide used by the applicants and recipients of
these funds in the processing of Federal Aid projects. It provides information on
funding, how to apply, engineering requirements, and the procurement process.


The Division of Local Aid and Economic Development administers the Federal
Aid Programs. The District Offices are strategically located close to their customers
providing a strong partnership with local government officials and engineers. The
District Managers and their staff are there to assist you with every phase of the Federal
Aid process. Ongoing communication with you will help us provide quality services and
ensure improved delivery of local transportation projects. You are encouraged to
contact your District Office for information or assistance regarding Federal Aid or any
other transportation related matter or at www.state.nj.us/transportation:

District 1 Joseph Jagniatkowski

District 2 Albert Maiocchi, PE
Roxbury Corporate Center


153 Halsey Street - 5th floor
200
Stierli
Court
Newark,
NJ
07102
Mount Arlington, NJ 07856


Phone: (973) 877-1500
Phone: (973) 770-5070/5068


Fax: (973) 877-1556
Fax: (973) 770-5172



Bergen, Essex, Hudson,
Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset,


Passaic, and Union
Sussex, and Warren

District 3 - Robert Werkmeister

District 4 Stephen Moy
100
Daniels
Way
1
Executive
Campus
Freehold, NJ 07728



Route 70 West, 3
rd
Floor
Phone: (732) 308-4002



Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
Fax
(732)
308-4003
Phone:
(856)
486-6618
Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth,

Fax (856) 486-6771
and Ocean
Atlantic, Burlington,

Camden, Cape May Cumberland,
Gloucester, and Salem


We are finding better ways to do business every day and are working to
maximize the public benefit of the Federal Aid Programs. Your participation will help
ensure our success. Updating this handbook is a continuing process. The Local Aid
Quality Improvement Team meets periodically to consider changes and issue revisions.
Questions, observations and recommendations are invited. CONTENTS

Federal
Aid
Programs


4

Local
Scoping
Program

5

Project
Selection
Eligibilty

5
Project
Selection
Process
6

Local
Lead
Program

8

Project
Selection
Criteria

8
Project
Selection
Process
9
Procedure
for
Local
Lead
Projects
10

Transportation
Enhancement
16


Who is Eligible to Apply for Funds




16
What
Types
of
Projects
are
Eligible
16
Eligible
Costs
17
Supplemental
Funding
17
Project
Selection
Criteria
17
Project
Selection
Process 18
Design
Guidelines
19
Application
Guidelines
19

Procedures for Transportation Enhancement Projects

20

Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Federal Highway Administration 25

Programmatic Agreement for Approval of Certain Categorical Exclusions 26


Attachment A








27
Attachment B








30

Federal Aid Programs


Currently, the New Jersey Department of Transportation, Division of Local Aid and
Economic Development, and/or the Metropolitan Planning Organizations administer the
Federal Aid Programs. These programs are as follows:

Local Scoping Program
Local Lead Program
Transportation Enhancement Program

These programs have been created to assist local governments and in the case of the
Transportation Enhancement program, non-profit organizations also, in the
improvement of transportation and transportation related facilities. These programs
encourage investment in those transportation projects that will yield the greatest
mobility, have the least environmental impact and make the most cost-effective use of
available resources. All of these programs are reimbursement programs.


Local Scoping Program

The purpose of this program is to provide Federal funds directly to member
subregions for the advancement of projects through the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) and preliminary engineering, thereby developing a solution to
a defined problem and making the project eligible for inclusion in the Statewide
Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The STIP is a list of proposed
improvements developed through the planning process and scheduled for
implementation within a five-year period. A subregion is a county and the cities
of Jersey City and Newark. Municipalities are eligible for the Local Scoping
Program but must work through their appropriate subregion. Projects must be
part of the National Highway System or be designated a Federal Aid road.

A project is considered to be "Scoped" when it has received a Categorical
Exclusion, a Finding of No Adverse Affect, or a Record of Decision under NEPA
from the Federal Highway Administration. An important aspect of Scoping is the
public involvement process that is required under NEPA. A decision to either
advance a project for inclusion in the STIP and an eventual final design, right-of-
way purchase and construction, or a decision to discontinue the project will be
the result of the Scoping process. If a decision is made to advance the project to
construction, funding will be provided either through the Local Lead Program, the
New Jersey Department of Transportation, or other sources. A completed
Scoping project does not guarantee construction funding.

Since the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) administer this program,
all subregions are encouraged to contact their respective MPO for more detailed
information concerning the program. The information provided in this handbook
is only presented as a general guide. Each of the MPO may have different
procedures for the completion of the Scoping process. A list of the Metropolitian
Organizations located in the State of New Jersey and the subregions covered is
provided in this handbook.


Project Selection Eligibility

All transportation related projects located on the National Highway System
or an eligible Federal Aid road can be considered for funding under the
program with the following exceptions.

Non-transportation related proposals

Transit projects

Functional roadway classification defined on the functional
classification map as rural minor collector, rural local collector or
urban local


Bridges not included in the most recent National Bridge
Inventory, Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation List

Proposals with local scoping costs less than $50,000

Proposals whose need has not been established in a proper
planning study, management system, the Regional
Transportation Plan, local prioritization plan, Subregions master
plan, Subregional Transportation Profile, Capital Program, or
National Bridge Inspection Survey (NBIS) Selection List, and is
not consistent with local plans

Proposals which have not received a resolution from the
governing body supporting the application for Local Scoping
Program funds

Proposals which are not considered to have an independent
utility from a larger project which is receiving non-federal funds

Actions that are included in the Programmatic Agreement for
Approval of Certain Categoral Exclusions found elsewhere in
this Handbook. These actions are eligible for the Local Lead
Program


Project Selection Process

Each year the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) notify the
member subregions of the deadline for application submissions. T