Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITY : Chester and Montgomery County
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds have been allocated to the Pennsylvania portion of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) metropolitan area for projects in Pennsylvania’s five counties (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia) that contribute to the attainment of the Clean Air Axct (CAA) standards by reducing emissions from mobile sources.
The CMAQ Program seeks to fund transportation projects that will improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion in the DVRPC Region. CMAQ eligible projects will demonstrably reduce air pollution emissions and help the DVRPC region meet the federal health based air quality standards.
This CMAQ Program is not a grant program. The sponsor does not receive grant funds to start the project; rather, the sponsor is reimbursed for costs incurred after receiving funding authorization for the project and a notice to proceed. Costs incurred prior to project selection and notice to proceed will not be reimbursed. All awarded projects must authorize federal CMAQ funds by the deadline stated in their award letters. Due to the complexity of managing CMAQ construction projects, DVRPC is requiring a minimum project request be $250,000 for construction projects and $100,000 for transit vehicle acquisitions to expand existing fleet or introduce a new transit service. There is also a soft maximum cap of $4 million for a single application.
What are CMAQ Eligible Projects?
Examples of eligible CMAQ projects include pedestrian and bicycle projects, transit improvement programs, including transit vehicle purchases for fleet expansion or to introduce a new transit service, congestion reduction and traffic flow improvements, and funding of transportation demand management programs, among others. Please refer to DVRPC’s latest CMAQ Guidance and FHWA web links for further details.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
Public agencies and public – private partnerships with a public agency sponsor are eligible to apply for the Competitive CMAQ Program funds. Project sponsors must comply with all federal requirements, including but not limited to Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) contract set-asides, consultant selection procedures, the competitive bid process, and the American with Disabilities Act requirements.
The public agency partner is responsible for applying for the CMAQ funds through DVRPC and overseeing and protecting the investment of the federal funds used in a public–private partnership project. Projects will not be eligible if they result in creating a competitive advantage of one private
entity over another. Federal law requires that a legal, written agreement be in place between the public agency and private or non-profit entity before implementing any CMAQ-funded project. Though these agreements need not be finalized at the time the application is submitted, the application must include letters of intent between the parties indicating willingness to enter into such agreement, if the project is selected.
Questions about the Competitive CMAQ Program?
New Jersey | Kwan Hui | P: 215-238–2894
Pennsylvania | Rick Murphy or (215) 238 – 2946
We can help.
Spotts, Stevens and McCoy has the experience to assist you in processing your applications.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Nicholas Szeredai, PE | Municipal/Civil Project Engineer