Nonmotorized

Transportation
Pilot Program

Marin County
Transportation Research Board
Washington, DC
January 11, 2009
 Challenges
• One of the greatest challenges in quickly
delivering nonmotorized projects
originates from ten words in the
legislation: Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, projects assisted under
this subsection shall be treated as
projects on a Federal-aid system
under Chapter 1 of Title 23, United States
Code
Challenges – Federal Aid System
• Triggers fund distributions through the
respective state DOT’s
– FHWA disburses funds to the DOT, which then
disburses to the local agency
• Each state DOT interprets the federal
regulations differently
– the means of disbursement vary considerably,
as does the amount of paperwork
 Local, Regional or State Funded Project Process

Final Design
Plans, Specifications
and Estimate
(PS&E)

California Environmental Solicit Quotes, Informal

Include Project Quality Act (CEQA) Bid or Formal Bid & Construct
Include Project Award Notice of
In Adopted/Approved Clearance & Project
In Adopted/Approved Purchase Order Completion
Program Preliminary Design
Program or Contract
Challenges – Federal Aid System
• Paperwork and level of analysis
disproportionate to the scope of the
project
– there is one ‘process’ whether you’re installing
bike racks or constructing 20 miles of freeway
– in-depth NEPA analysis required, even for
minor efforts
 Federally Funded Project Process

Project
Project
Programmed Disadvantaged
Programmed
In TIP Business
In TIP
Enterprise
(DBE) Complete
Program Right of Way
Updated National Certification
Environmental
Policy Act Authorize Formal Bid & Award Contract
(NEPA) Authorize
Construction
and CEQA Construction
Complete Field
Review & Authorize Clearance Final Design
Preliminary Engineering Preliminary PS&E
Design Construct Project

Final Report & Invoice

Challenges – Federal Aid System
• Process is slow and arduous
– State DOT involvement means you lose
control over project schedule
– Shifting funds as project progresses in the TIP
can take months
– Authorizations to Proceed required at several
steps along the way, and each authorization
can take several months to obtain
– Funding cycles periodically ‘shut down’ for
months at a time during which no paperwork
is processed
www.walkbikemarin.org