Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), Transportation Planning Project Proposals; DD: 04/14/2008
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
www.blm.gov
March 31, 2008
In Reply Refer To:
9420 (850) P
EMS TRANSMISSION 04/11/2008
Instruction Memorandum No. 2008-104
Expires: 09/30/2009
To: Assistant Directors, State Directors, and Center Directors
From: Assistant Director, Business and Fiscal Resources
Subject: Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), Transportation Planning Project Proposals DD: 04/14/2008
Program Area: Transportation Planning
Purpose: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) submitted a request to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for Fiscal_Year (FY) 2008 transportation planning funds to support the BLM SAFETEA-LU Implementation Plan/FY 2008 Program Proposal (Attachment 1). States are now requested to submit individual proposals for SAFETEA-LU transportation planning projects for FY 2008 to the Asset Management Branch (WO-854) by April 14, 2008. Proposals from the states will be used to distribute funds that the BLM anticipates receiving this year from the FHWA.
Policy/Action: Submit SAFETEA-LU proposed FY 2008 projects for transportation planning following the instructions and using the format found in Attachment 2 (BLM’s Transportation Planning Project Proposals for FY 2008). Attachment 3 provides the current version of the FHWA Transportation Planning Project Eligibility Guidelines for projects pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 204(i)(2). Review Attachment 1 to ensure proposed projects capture the intent of the SAFETEA-LU BLM Implementation Plan/FY 2008 Program Proposal. The FHWA has informed the BLM that purchase of traffic counters are endorsed through Item 7 of the Eligibility Guidelines. The FHWA has also made the determination that kiosks and signs are considered construction and are, therefore, not allowed. Use Attachment 2 to submit your project proposals. Send the proposals electronically to Victor Montoya, Civil Engineer, WO-854, at Victor_Montoya@blm.gov.
Timeframe: This Instruction Memorandum (IM) is effective immediately.
Budget Impact: None.
Background: The SAFETEA-LU, through Public Law 109-59, was passed in August 2005. Through Title 23 U.S.C. Section 204, the BLM is entitled to apply for transportation planning funds each year. A letter, along with BLM’s Implementation Plan/FY 2008 Program Proposal, was sent to the FHWA requesting funding for $1.8 million for FY 2008 transportation planning projects.
Once the funds are received, the funds will be transferred in varying amounts to the State Offices based on state priorities for the transportation planning projects submitted by the BLM SAFETEA-LU Coordinators. Typically, many of the coordinators work with State departments of transportation, counties, the FHWA, or other partners on planning and design issues that are mutually beneficial to all parties.
Manual/Handbook Sections Affected: None.
Coordination: Each of the State Engineers and SAFETEA-LU Coordinators is fully cognizant of the requirement for submitting project proposals for transportation planning projects to be accomplished in FY 2008. The Asset Management Branch (WO-854) will be working with the Budget Office (WO-880) on the distribution of funds once they are received.
Contact: If you have any questions concerning this request, or need any help in preparing your proposal, please contact Victor Montoya, WO-854, at (202) 557-3593.
Signed by: Authenticated by:
Laura Ceperley Robert M. Williams
Acting, Assistant Director Division of IRM Governance,WO-560
Business and Fiscal Resources
3 Attachments
1 - BLM SAFETEA-LU Implementation Plan/Fiscal_Year 2008 Program Proposal (2 pp)
2 - BLM Transportation Planning Project Proposals for FY 2008 for SAFETEA-LU (3 pp)
3 - Federal Highway Administration, Office of Federal Lands Highway, Transportation Planning Project Eligibility Guidelines (2 pp)