ARRA Transportation

ARRA--Transportation

General Information

June 29, 2011: GAO Releases Report on ARRA Transportation Funds GAO released the following report that provides an update on the uses of and accountability for ARRA transportation funds as well as the quality of recipients’ reports on job creation: http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-600

December 2, 2010: Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Releases Latest ARRA Report The House Committee of Transportation and Infrastructure released updated information reporting that 94% of the $38 billion in ARRA funding designated for highways, transit, and wastewater formula projects has now been utilized. This percentage includes projects out to bid, under contract, underway, or completed.  Click here for more information:  http://transportation.house.gov/News/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=1339

October 27, 2010: House T & I Committee Releases Updated Report on ARRA Funds The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T & I) released updated information on the implementation status of ARRA.  The report finds that 91% of formula funds for highway, transit, and wastewater infrastructure are under contract.  To access the full report, including state data, see: http://transportation.house.gov/News/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=1337

May 5, 2010: House Committee Releases ARRA Transportation Report The majority staff of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure prepared a report that outlines the implementation status of ARRA transportation and infrastructure provisions as of April 16, 2010. To view the report, go to:
http://transportation.house.gov/Media/file/ARRA/20100505/Recovery Act 5-5-10 Report .pdf

December 22, 2009: House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Requests Monthly ARRA Reports House Transportation and Infrastructure chairman wrote to governors, metropolitan planning organizations, and public transit agencies outlining the committee's ARRA data reporting schedule for 2010. The chairman requested that governors submit updated accountability and transparency reports on the 20th of each month during 2010. Since last spring, the committee has requested cumulative data about outlays and outcomes regarding the delivery of transportation and infrastructure projects using ARRA funds. To view the letter sent to governors, please go to: http://transportation.house.gov/Media/file/ARRA/20091222%20Accountability%20Letter%20Governors.pdf

November 2009: Additional Guidance on MOE, Section 1512 Reporting

1) Federal Highway Administration Supplemental Guidance on Recovery Act Section 1201 Maintenance of Effort Highway Infrastructure Investment Appropriation:
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/economicrecovery/sec1202suppguide.htm

2) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Data Validation Concept of Operations ARRA 1512 Reporting, October 8, 2009:
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/economicrecovery/1512reporting.htm

3) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Q&A on ARRA grant amendments and budget revisions: http://www.fta.dot.gov/index_9440_9327.html#Grant

October 29, 2009: RADS Released The Recovery Act Data System (RADS) Version 2.0 guidance has been released. To view this information, see:
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/economicrecovery/rads_guidance_20091029.pdf

September 2009: DOT Issues Fraud Warning The Department of Transportation (DOT) issued the following notice on its ARRA homepage:

WARNING: DOT is aware of attempts to defraud potential Recovery Act grantees. These attempts occur by written request for confidential financial information that appear to be from DOT. DO NOT RESPOND TO THESE REQUESTS. If you receive such a request, please contact us on 202-366-0747, or e-mail the Senior Procurement Executive at recovery.grantee@dot.gov. DOT is working with domestic and international law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute the persons responsible for this fraudulent activity.

July 2009: Supplemental Guidance on ARRA Formula Funds The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has issued supplemental guidance regarding its transparency and accountability reporting effort for direct recipients of ARRA formula funds. The committee requests that recipients submit updated reports by June 15, 2009, and July 15, 2009. (Data in these reports should reflect what has occurred as of May 31, 2009, and June 30, 2009, respectively.)

To view the supplemental guidance go to:
http://transportation.house.gov/Media/file/ARRA/TI Guidance June 4 2009.pdf
For more information, visit the T&I website:
http://transportation.house.gov/singlepages/singlepages.aspx?NewsID=852 

Recovery Act Plan DOT released its agency-wide recovery act plan:
http://www.dot.gov/recovery/2009/DOT ARRA Plan.pdf

Required Certifications State and local governments and agencies must complete several certifications required under ARRA. These include section 1201, Maintenance of Effort; section 1511, Transparency and Oversight; and section 1607, Additional Funding Distribution and Assistance of Appropriate Use of Funds. In the case of section 1511, the certification must be made and posted before funds are received. The following list makes available the certifications received to date by DOT:
http://testimony.ost.dot.gov/ARRAcerts/

ARRA Guidance Memo The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee released ARRA guidance; see attached.

Highways

August 26, 2010: House Committee Releases Information on ARRA Highway and Bridge Investment The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure recently announced that four states have 100% of their funding for the highway and bridge program invested in projects that are underway or completed, while 32 others are above the 90% level. For more information, including state-specific information and implementation status, see: http://transportation.house.gov/News/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=1305

March 26, 2010: FHWA Releases Quick Reference Card for ARRA Reporting The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) released a quick reference card that provides ARRA recipients with a clear definition of how to report the OMB defined "Key 1512 Award Information." To view this information, see: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/economicrecovery/1512card.htm

March 17, 2010: FHWA Releases Guidance on Redistribution of Highway Funds FHWA issued a notice regarding the redistribution of ARRA Highway Infrastructure Investment funds one year after the initial date of apportionment to states. According to the notice, all states had obligated 100% of their funds so no funds are available for redistribution. For more information, see: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/legsregs/directives/notices/n4510721.htm

February 17, 2010: DOT Announces TIGER Grants DOT awarded $1.5 billion in discretionary grants to fund 51 projects in 41 states under the ARRA's Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program. For more information, go to:
http://www.dot.gov/documents/finaltigergrantinfo.pdf

February 5, 2010: FHWA Releases Notice on Redistribution of ARRA Funds FHWA released a notice (N 4510.720) advising states of the redistribution of Highway Infrastructure Investment funds. The unobligated balances will be withdrawn and the redistribution process will begin on March 2, 2010. To view the notice, go to:
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/legsregs/directives/notices/n4510720.htm

January 28, 2010: ARRA Forest Highway Program FHWA released guidance on the redistribution of funds under the Forest Highway Program. To view the guidance, go to: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/economicrecovery/fhredistribution.htm

November 23, 2009: FHWA Releases Economically Distressed Area (EDA) Questions and Answers FHWA posted the questions and answers from the November 12, 2009, EDA question and answer session. While most questions pertained to ARRA reporting, there were also questions on non-ARRA EDA reporting and the spending of program funds. The information is available at: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/economicrecovery/edaqanda.htm

September 18, 2009: FHA Releases Guidance on Exec Compensation Reporting  FHWA released guidance on reporting on executive compensation for the Section 1512 recipient reporting requirements. The guidance is available at:
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/economicrecovery/guidancedexeccomp.htm

August 24, 2009: Economically Distressed Areas FHWA issued guidance to provide additional information on the determination of economically distressed areas under the priority language in the Highway Infrastructure Investment appropriation of ARRA. The FHWA is issuing this guidance after consultation with the Department of Commerce and its Economic Development Administration, which has reviewed the "special need" criteria. States shall give priorityto projects that are located in an economically distressed area and can be completed within the three-year time frame over projects that meet only one of the priorities, provided that such projects also meet the other preferences, conditions, and requirements of ARRA. For more on this program see:
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/economicrecovery/guidancedistressed.html

July 28, 2009: DOT Updates ARRA Q&A DOT updated its ARRA Question and Answers document to provide information on issues raised by state DOT's in regards to contracting methods. The updated document is available at:
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/economicrecovery/qandas.htm

July 23, 2009: Highway Infrastructure Funds DOT's FHWA posted a notice on redistribution of highway infrastructure investment funds pursuant to ARRA. The notice can be found at: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/legsregs/directives/notices/n4510708.htm

July 10, 2009: DOT Updates Q&A Document DOT updated its Question and Answers document to provide information on issues raised by state DOTs in regards to ARRA and indirect costs. The updated document is available at: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/economicrecovery/qandas.htm 

July 2009: Supplemental Appropriations Act The Supplemental Appropriations Act for 2009, signed by the president on June 24, 2009, includes a provision allowing up to 10% of each amount apportioned in ARRA for the urbanized (Section 5307) and non-urbanized (Section 5311) formula programs to be used for operating assistance. The following information is available on this new provision:

a) Question and answer document: http://www.fta.dot.gov/index_9440_10006.html

b) ARRA apportionment tables illustrating the 10% available for operating assistance:
http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/ARRA_transit_capital_assistance_with_operating_cap.pdf
http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/ARRA_nonurban_funding_with_operating_cap.pdf

June 17, 2009: TIGER Funding Availability DOT published a revised notice of funding availability (NOFA) for the $1.5 billion TIGER Discretionary Grant program funded by ARRA. The program awards funds to state and local governments that submit applications for capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure, including highway or bridge projects, public transportation projects, passenger and freight rail projects and port infrastructure investments. The revised NOFA provides additional guidance on the economic competitiveness criterion and the required cost-benefit analysis, clarifies several definitions and removes certification requirements among other administrative changes. Grant applications are due by September 15, 2009.

The Federal Register notice is available at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-14262.pdf

Additional program information can be found at: http://www.dot.gov/recovery/ost/

FHA Q&A FHA maintains a Question and Answer document that covers ARRA-related issues raised by state DOTs. The document was last updated on May 20, 2009, and includes additional questions related to collecting and estimating jobs under ARRA. The document is available at: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/economicrecovery/qandas.htm

Highways on Recovery.gov The link for highways on recovery.gov is
http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/rebuilding-infrastructure. It shows how much goes to each state, and how that breaks by type of jurisdiction.

TIGER Grants DOT published a notice of funding availability (NOFA) for the $1.5 billion Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Discretionary Grants Program. Applications must be submitted by September 15, 2009. The NOFA can be found at:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-11542.pdf.

Public Transit

June 7, 2010: FTA Updates Information on ARRA Reporting Requirements FTA has updated its website to include information on ARRA Section 1512 webinars scheduled in June and a reminder for grant recipients to renew their Central Contractor Registration (CCR). For more details, see: http://www.fta.dot.gov/index_9440.html

March 22, 2010: FTA Recovery Act Update Webinar FTA will hold a webinar on March 24, 2010, from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM EST to update ARRA recipients on the recently issued reporting guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and provide tips on the April reporting process. This webinar is geared toward agencies that are submitting a Section 1512 report for the first time or individuals who are reporting on behalf of their agency for the first time. FTA will also hold refresher training (for agencies that have reported in prior reporting periods or individuals who have previously reported on behalf of their agency) on March 26, 2010, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM EST and March 30, 2010, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM EST. For additional details, see: http://www.fta.dot.gov/index_9440_10870.html

March 8, 2010: FTA Recovery Act Update Webinar FTA will hold a webinar on March 9, 2010, from 4:00 PM-5:00 PM EST to update ARRA recipients on accomplishments of the past year as well as to discuss new guidance and oversight plans. The webinar will also include a presentation from the Department of Justice on fraud. For more information see: http://www.fta.dot.gov/index_9440_11337.html

January 8, 2010: Federal Transit Administration Announces Extension of ARRA Reports Effective for the quarter ending December 31, 2009, ARRA grant Milestone Progress Reports (MPRs) and the Federal Financial Reports (FFRs) quarterly reports are due 30 days after the end of the quarter. Reports for the quarter ending December 31, 2009, are now due on January 30, 2010. Recipients who have already submitted their reports do not need to resubmit their information.

FTA Announces Section 1512 Training Webinar for Reports Due in January 2010 FTA will hold a webinar to provide ARRA grant recipients with guidance and technical assistance on the Section 1512 reporting requirements. FTA will discuss recently issued reporting guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and tips on how to make the January reporting process successful. The webinar session is scheduled for Thursday, January 7, 2010. To register for this session see: https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/webconference/web_conf_learner_reg.aspx?webconfid=19205

For more information see: http://www.fta.dot.gov/index_9440_10870.html

December 31, 2009: FTA Publishes Correction to Federal Register Notice on Tribal Transit Programs FTA published a notice in the Federal Register that makes corrections to the December 18, 2009 notice. Specifically, the corrected version provides two tables: ARRA Tribal Transit Program Allocations and FY 2009 Tribal Transit Program Allocations. To view the notice, go to: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/Z9-30197.pdf

December 18, 2009: FTA Announces Awards for Tribal Transit Program FTA announced the selection of tribal projects funded under ARRA and the FY 2009 appropriations process. The funds support public transportation capital projects, operating costs, and planning activities that are eligible costs under the Non-Urbanized Area Formula. To view the Federal Register announcement, see: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-30197.pdf

December 2009: Section 1512 Webinars Rescheduled OMB is expected to release new guidance during this week that could change the way that ARRA recipients report jobs during the upcoming reporting period. As a result, the FTA is postponing its 1512 webinars scheduled for early this week. FTA is planning to hold webinars on December 18, 2009, and December 21, 2009. For information on the new dates and times see:
http://www.fta.dot.gov/index_9440_10870.html

December 2009: FTA Issues Reminder of March 5, 2010 Obligation Deadline The March 5, 2010, deadline for obligating 100% of ARRA formula funds is approaching. All new grants and grant amendment applications for ARRA formula funds must be submitted to FTA by December 27, 2009, in order to ensure that FTA will be able to process the applications in time for the deadline. For more information see: http://www.fta.dot.gov/index_9440_10900.html

December 7, 2009: FTA Announces ARRA Section 1512 Training Webinars FTA will conduct training webinars on December 14, 15, and 18, 2009 to provide guidance and technical assistance to facilitate compliance with ARRA Section 1512 reporting requirements for the quarter ending December 31, 2009. More information on these webinars are available at: http://www.fta.dot.gov/index_9440_10870.html

December 1, 2009: FTA Releases Section 1201(c) and 1512 ARRA Reporting Tables FTA posted tables of the information submitted by ARRA grantees in the most recent Section 1201(c) and Section 1512 reporting cycles. To view these tables see:
http://www.fta.dot.gov/index_9440_10542.html

November 17, 2009: ARRA "After Action" Webinar on Reporting for FTA Grant Recipients FTA will hold a webinar November 20 from 1:00-2:30 PM EST. The webinar will allow ARRA grant recipients the opportunity to provide feedback to FTA on their experiences with 1201(c) and 1512 reporting. In addition, FTA staff will debrief the grant recipients on the agency's experience implementing the ARRA reporting requirements. For more information see: http://www.fta.dot.gov/index_9440_10804.html

October 13, 2009: FTA Announces TIGGER Grants Recipients FTA issued a notice in the Federal Register that announces recipients of the $100 million in ARRA funds for the Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) grants. The notice also responds to the comments received in response to the request for comments on the program structure and requirements in FTA's Notice of Funding Availability. To view this notice, see:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-24479.htm

September 2009: Section 1512 Webinars On September 22, 23 and 24, FTA will be conducting three webinars on Section 1512 reporting requirements for FTS grant recipients. Details are available at: http://www.fta.dot.gov/index_9440_10541.html

September 21, 2009: FTA Announces TIGGER Grant Funding FTA announced $100 million in Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) grant funding for 43 transit agencies that are pursuing cutting-edge environmental technologies to help reduce global warming, lessen America's dependence on oil, and create green jobs. Award amounts are available at: http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2009/fta2209.htm

August 2009: Upcoming DOT Transit Deadlines DOT published a reminder of upcoming deadlines on its website: http://www.fta.dot.gov/index_9440_10398.html

Specifically, by September 1, 2009, 50% of the ARRA apportionments for three transportation programs must be obligated to avoid losing the balance of that amount remaining unobligated. These programs are the Section 5307 Urbanized Areas Program ($5.4 billion), the Section 5311 Non-Urbanized Areas Program ($765.8 million), and the Section 5309 Fixed Guideway Modernization Program for urbanized areas ($742.5 million). 

The balance of the initial apportionment must be obligated by March 5, 2010.  All funds, including balances withdrawn from areas that did not meet the obligation deadlines and redistributed to other areas that met the deadlines, must be obligated by September 30, 2010.  Once obligated, funds must be disbursed by September 30, 2015. Any balances remaining after that date will revert to the U.S. Treasury.

August 20, 2009: Grants to Local Transit Systems Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that 132 grants totaling $1.3 billion in ARRA funds will go to improve state and local transit systems. The majority of these grants will be used to purchase new vehicles, increase safety and security initiatives, construct, rehabilitate or maintain the various transit systems. More information is available at: http://www.fta.dot.gov/news/news_events_10477.html

Capital Investment Grants DOT published in the Federal Register a notice implementing the Capital Investment Grants Program provisions of ARRA. It provides program and grant application requirements for ARRA funds under the Federal Transit Administration's New Starts and Small Starts programs. It is attached. 

Public Transit Grants Of the $8.4 billion appropriated in ARRA for transit capital improvements, $100 million was provided for a new competitive grant program to provide direct funding to public transit agencies for "capital investments that will assist in reducing the energy consumption in greenhouse gas emissions." The Federal Transit Administration has published the rules for applying at the following address:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-6420.pdf

Transit Notice The Federal Transit Agency published a notice in the Federal Register to implement the transit formula program and grant application requirements for the ARRA: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-4745.pdf.

Transit Funds Funds announced for transit:
http://www.recovery.gov/?q=node/202. 

Airports

September 18, 2009: Updated FAA list of ARRA Funding The FAA updated its list of cumulative ARRA grant funding for FAA programs. The updated list of ARRA grants is available at: http://www.faa.gov/airports/aip/

Discretionary Airport Grants Update The FAA recently updated a table that shows FY 2009 funds for discretionary airport grants. ARRA included $1.1 billion for airport-related purposes, with priority given to projectsthat can be awarded by June 17, 2009, and completed by February 16, 2011. As of May 22, 2009, $1.084 billion in funds have been released.  Amounts by state and by project can be found on the tab labeled FY 2009 Cumulative Approved ARRA Grants at:
http://www.faa.gov/recovery/programs/    

Airport Funds Federal agency guidance on the $1.3 billion available in discretionary ARRA airport funds can be found at:
http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/airports/aip/media/FY09_aip_arra_guidance.pdf

Railroads

December 9, 2010: DOT Redirects $1.2 Billion in High-Speed Rail Funds
The Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that $1.2 billion in high-speed rail funds originally designated for Wisconsin and Ohio will be redirected to other states. For more information, including the reallocation of funds, see: http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2010/dot20810.html

September 2010: FRA Releases Guidance on High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) released answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the Buy America provision as it relates to high-speed intercity passenger rail grants awarded to states.  The FAQs are available at: http://www.fra.dot.gov/Pages/11.shtml

August 10, 2009: ARRA Grants Application Q&A Update The Federal Railway Administration updated its Q&A section on the ARRA grants application process:
http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/content/2270

High-Speed Rail Program Guidance DOT published its High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program interim program guidance for states and regions to apply for federal funds for high speed rail as part of ARRA. The guidance provides the application requirements and procedures to guide eligible applicants in seeking funding for high-speed and intercity passenger rail. To view the guidance, click the following link:
http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/content/2243.

Amtrak Funds Amtrak has released details about its spending plans for $1.3 billion in ARRA funds. For more detailed information, and a listing of projects by state, visit the Amtrak website:
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Copy/Title_Image_Copy_Page&c=am2Copy&cid=1081442674477&ssid=322

Other

March 22, 2010: DOT Awards $11.8 Million in ARRA Training Grants DOT announced $11.8 million in On-the-Job Training Supportive Service (OJT/SS) grants. These grants were made to organizations in 19 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico to fund apprenticeships and training centers for underrepresented or disadvantaged people seeking careers in transportation, engineering, or construction. The full announcement and awards by state are available at: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pressroom/fhwa1004.htm

August 31, 2009: Funds for DBE DOT announced $20 million in recovery funds to create the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Bonding Assistance Program, an initiative that enables small and disadvantaged businesses to be reimbursed for bonding premiums and fees incurred when competing for, or performing on, transportation infrastructure projects funded by ARRA. For more information on this program see:
http://www.dot.gov/recovery/ost/osdbu/ 

July 23, 2009: ARRA Ferry Boat Awards DOT released information on ARRA Ferry Boat Discretionary (FBD) awards to states. An updated table on these awards can be viewed at: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/discretionary/fbawrd09_arra.cfm                                                            
Applicants that applied for ARRA FBD grants but not receive awards may still submit an application for consideration under the FY 2009 program by July 31, 2009, in accordance with the 2009 FBD Program solicitation, available at: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/discretionary/fbdsol.cfm

July 14, 2009: Ferry Service and ARRA DOT announced $60 million in grants to 19 states and one territory to improve ferry service under ARRA. For a list of projects, go to: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pressroom/fhwa0921.htm

July 9, 2009: On-the-Job Training Services Grants DOT announced $6.7 million in On-the-Job Training Supportive Service (OJT/SS) grants. These grants were made to organizations in 14 states to fund apprenticeships and training centers for underrepresented or disadvantaged people seeking careers in transportation, engineering or construction. The full announcement and awards by state are available at: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pressroom/fhwa0918.htm