Nebraska Local Public Agencies and Transportation Issues

1. Nebraska Local Public Agenciesand Transportation Issues Jim Wilkinson, PE Local Projects Engineer Nebraska Department of Roads

2. Staffing and Responsible Charge • Inventory of Assets, Needs, Management • Federal Fund Purchase Concept Topics

3. LPA Team LPA Team: governing body, staff, RC, consultant LPAs assign RCs to specific projects Role of RC LPA Manual Sections 1.5, 1.8, 3.2, 15.3.1 23 CFR 635.105(c)(4)

4. Responsible Charge (RC) Full-time, public employee Must be available to work on the project RC – the owner’s representative Role of RC LPA Manual Sections 1.5, 1.8, 3.2, 15.3.1; 23 CFR 635.105(c)(4)

5. What does an RC do? • Actively tracks the project day-to-day • Makes decisions on behalf of the local agency • Assures project compliance with laws, etc. • Monitors project progress and schedule • Manages consultants • Visits project during construction • Assures public getting what it pays for Role of RC http://www.transportation.nebraska.gov/gov-aff/faq/pdf-faq/1/1e.pdf

6. Inventory of Assets

7. Roadways Roadways 96,551 miles September, 2010

8. Roadways, September, 2010

9. Roadways, September, 2010

10. Bridges Bridges 15,350 September, 2010

11. Bridges, September, 2010

12. Bridges, September, 2010

13. Bridge Needs

15. Bridges, September, 2010

16. Roadway Needs ?

17. Asset Management Project Selection

18. Planning • Asset management • Bridge inspection and maintenance • Pavement management • Signs • Roadway projects: One- and Six-Year Plan

19. Nebraska Local Public AgenciesFederal Fund Purchase Programfor Transportation Projects May, 2011

20. What is the Basic Concept? • Federal Highway (FHWA) provides federal funds to Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR) • A calculated portion of those funds typically are shared with local agencies • NDOR would “buy” those federal funds and use for projects on State highways • Local agencies in turn receive state cash • Local Agencies let and monitor projects locally without NDOR/FHWA involvement

21. What Led up to Nebraska’s Federal Funds Purchase Proposal? • Major changes starting three years ago • Duration to develop projects increased • Local share must be spent annually • Federal fund purchase concept took root in Nebraska in 2009 • LB 98 passed this legislative session • Agreements are executed

22. How Would it Work? • Local Public Agency (LPA)/State Agreements • Requires NDOR to develop additional federal-aid projects • Local agency receives annual share. Rate is 80¢ for each federal dollar. • Local agency uses funds for its road and bridge projects. Funds may be saved for a larger project. • NDOR uses federal funds on State roadways and bridges.

23. What Can My Local Agency Spend the Money On? • On & Off System Roadways • All phases – engineering, right-of-way, utility relocations – associated with project • Roadway construction or rehab • Overlay, mill/overlay, chip seal, pavement patching, crack sealing • Bridge removal, replacement, rehab • Safety improvements (signals, etc.) • Bridge inspections • Ramps to meet Americans with Disability Act requirements • Non-routine maintenance

24. Conditions • Accounting • Segregation • Tracking • Reporting • Identify projects on 1/6 year plan

25. Proposed State Oversight • Annual Certification that State funds were spent for road and bridge purposes

26. Which Funds, and How Much? • Surface Transportation (STP) – Counties - $7.8 million • STP – First Class Cities - $11.8 million • Highway Bridge Program (HBP) – Eligible Cities of the First Class, Lincoln, Omaha and Counties – up to $10 million Note: SAFETEA-LU (current) funding levels – subject to change

27. $60 Million Total Potential Spending Authority For Nebraska Local Agencies Current Distribution of Spending Authority

28. $29 Million Federal Funds Purchase Program

29. Still a Local Fed-aid Program? Yes! • Off-federal-aid system bridges • MAPA (Omaha Metro area) • LCLC (Lincoln/Lancaster County) • Transportation Enhancements (TE) • Safe Routes to School (SRTS) • Railroad Hazard Elimination (RRZ) • Safety Projects • Federal Lands Highway • Emergency Relief • Congressional Earmarks

30. $31 Million Total Potential Spending Authority For Nebraska Local Agencies Remaining Local Federal Aid Program Note: Other spending authority is available in categories such as HSIP and HRRRP

31. When Would This Start? As early as October 1, 2012 (Federal Fiscal Year 2013)

32. When Would Your Agency Get Its First Check? As early as March 2014

33. How Many Years Will the Program be in Effect? • Initial term four years, can be extended • Indefinitely, as long as laws and circumstances allow it

34. Some Laws That Still Would Apply • Clean Water Act • Floodplain Permit • Corps Permits • Endangered Species • Historic Preservation (Section 106) • Right-of-Way (ROW) Acquisition (Uniform Act) • Minimum Design Standards • Maintaining Roadways and Bridges which used Federal funds

35. How Would My Agency Benefit? • Regular payments • More local control, LPA manages funds, addresses specific needs, and lets contracts • More ways to apply the money • Developing projects locally is easier and quicker • Less expensive, especially for small projects • No NDOR/FHWA oversight of NEPA documents, permits, or contracting • Minimal State oversight

36. How Would NDOR Benefit? • Fewer local federal-aid projects • Fewer federal-aid projects overall

37. FFPP Summary • Concept • How it would work • What funds are involved • Start as early as Federal Fiscal Year 2013 • Benefits • The remaining Federal-aid program

38. Staffing and Responsible Charge • Inventory of Assets, Needs, Management • Federal Fund Purchase Concept Topics Covered