SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

DIRECT ATTRIBUTABLE APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE:

Important Dates:

  • Call for Projects: November 23, 2020
  • Pre-application Review: January 5, 2021
  • Submittal Deadline: February 5, 2021 by 5PM

Introduction:

On December 4, 2015, the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act was signed into law.  The FAST Act changed the Surface Transportation Program (STP) name to the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBGP) and amended the provisions contained in 23 U.S.C. 133.  Each state is apportioned STBGP funds for the state’s entire Federal-aid system, and a portion the FAST Act allocates STBGP funds directly to Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) that are designated as a Transportation Management Area (TMA). STBGP funds have broad latitude for use on metropolitan transportation planning and projects and in support of the Federal-aid system per 23 U.S. C. 133. Specific eligibility criteria and guidance can be found through the Federal Highways Administration (FHWA www.fhwa.dot.gov).

On October 1, 2020, the President signed a continuing resolution authorizing a one year extension to the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.  This extension provides for funding thru the federal fiscal year 2021 (October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2021) and thereby makes eligible funds from the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBGP) and amended the provisions contained in 23 U.S.C. 133. Due to the short term extension, the funding will be awarded in one allocation.

As a Transportation Management Area (TMA), the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WMPO) receives a direct allocation of STBGP funding annually. This direct allocation is referred to by the WMPO as Surface Transportation Block Grant Program Direct Attributable (STBGP-DA). All projects, including public transportation projects, requesting STBGP-DA funds must submit a formal funding request.  A competitive process is to determine which projects are funded.

The FAST Act also combined the former STP and former TAP programs at the federal level, and amended the provisions contained in 23 U.S.C. 133.  Prior to apportioning the STBGP funds to each state or MPO, a portion the FAST Act sets aside STBGP funds specifically for Transportation Alternatives, now referred to as the Transportation Alternative Set Aside (TASA). From the TASA funds apportioned to each state, a portion of the FAST Act allocates TASA funds directly to any Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) that is designated as a Transportation Management Area (TMA). Specific eligibility criteria and guidance can be found through the Federal Highways Administration (FHWA www.fhwa.dot.gov).

As a Transportation Management Area (TMA), the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WMPO) receives a direct allocation of TA Set Aside funding annually. This direct allocation is referred to by the WMPO as Transportation Alternative Set Aside Direct Attributable (TASA-DA). A competitive process is used to determine which projects are funded.