Frequently Asked Questions
How are projects selected for the
MTIP?
Who is involved in developing the
MTIP?
What are “lump sums” and how do
they expedite project implementation for local agencies?
How are project priorities set
within the MTIP?
How is the MTIP amended?
What is “Financial
Constraint?”
What is “Air Quality
Conformity” and what does it mean to have a “Conforming
MTIP?”
How can the public stay informed of
changes to the MTIP?
How do I submit a project for the MTIP?
How are projects selected
for the MTIP?
Projects are selected for inclusion in the MTIP from a
variety of sources. Projects that are funded from state or federal funding
sources are included in the MTIP after these projects are approved for funding
by SACOG, Caltrans, or the California Transportation Commission. If state or
local agencies are required to contribute a portion of the cost of each project
from state or local funds, these funds must be committed by the appropriate
agencies before the projects are included in the MTIP. When local agencies
-including cities, counties, and transit agencies- adopt capital improvement
programs, the transportation projects in these programs are eligible for
inclusion in the MTIP if the local agencies have committed the necessary funds
to implement them.
Who is involved in
developing the MTIP?
In developing, updating, and amending the MTIP, SACOG
works with a number of federal, state and local agencies, including Caltrans,
the Federal Highway Administration, county-wide transportation agencies,
transit operators, air-quality districts, city and county agencies, and special
districts that are involved in transportation project development and
implementation.
What are “lump sums”
and how do they expedite project implementation for local agencies?
A “lump sum” is a compilation of a lot of minor
capital purchases that if listed individually would take up a lot of space in
the MTIP (for example, acquisition of heating/air conditioning units for
transit buildings, maintenance equipment for buses and light rail computer
equipment and software upgrades, etc.). Instead of listing each item
separately, federal planning guidelines alow metropolitan planning
organizations such as SACOG to “lump sum” these minor capital
purchases to streamline the MTIP. These “lump sums” provide a kind of
budget for local agencies from which to draw funds and allows local agencies to
proceed with high-priority projects and programs with no further action
required by SACOG.
SACOG uses lump sum categories that are consistent with
federal air-quality conformity regulations (Federal Register: 40 CFR Parts 51
and 93).
How are project priorities set with the MTIP?
When the MTIP is adopted, priorities are set for the
projects as follows:
- All projects (as a group) shown in the first year of
the MTIP Action Element shall have first priority.
- All projects (as a group) shown in the second year of
the MTIP Action Element shall have second priority.
- All projects (as a group) shown in the third year of
the MTIP Action Element shall have third priority.
Once projects are included in the MTIP and prioritized by
year, no further action is required of SACOG. Project sponsors are responsible
for implementing projects within the costs and schedules shown in the MTIP.
How is the MTIP amended?
Occasionally, project sponsors need to make changes in the
description, cost, or schedule of a project in the MTIP. Subsequently, they
will request in writing that SACOG amend the MTIP. SACOG staff processes these
requests on a quarterly basis pursuant to a process for amending and adjusting
projects. If project sponsors request amendments to the MTIP that are
considered minor, SACOG staff has been given authority to amend the MTIP
administratively (or without the need for formal review by the SACOG Board of
Directors). Significant changes in the project description, cost or schedule
require the formal review and approval by the SACOG Board of Directors.
The “Project Selection and MTIP Amendment
Procedures” found in the MTIP describes the process that SACOG uses to
process both formal and administrative amendments.
What is “Financial Constraint?”
When the MTIP is “financially constrained,” that
means that funding is available and has been committed by the appropriate
agencies to implement projects in the MTIP. If implementation of a project
depends on the development of a new funding source, such as a new sales or fuel
tax measure, the project will not be included in the MTIP until the new funding
source has been developed and the funds have been committed to the project.
Metropolitan planning organizations such as SACOG can
include projects in the MTIP based on funds that we and local agencies estimate
will be made available from existing funding sources, such as federal highway
and transit funds, local sales tax measures, and developer fees.
What is “Air Quality conformity” and what does it mean to have a
“Conforming MTIP?”
“Air Quality conformity” refers to a set of
federal regulations that require metropolitan planning organizations such as
SACOG to assess the impact of the MTIP on the region’s air quality. The
MTIP must satisfy a number of tests to indicate that implementation of the MTIP
will achieve specific reductions in pollutants and that transportation control
measures adopted by local agencies will continue to be implemented.
The EPA website provides
an excellent resource on this topic.
How do I submit a project for
the MTIP?
Complete and return a form for new MTIP projects and
amendments:
MS Excel format
Adobe Acrobat
(PDF) format (Note: This is a pdf form and can be filled in, saved and
printed.) |
