Greater MinnesotaTransportation Alternatives & Safe Routes to

School Joint Solicitation2018/19 Full Application

Full Application 1

Table of ContentsTable of Contents...................................................................................................................................... 2

Overview................................................................................................................................................... 4

2018/19 Solicitation Timeline....................................................................................................................4

Related Documents................................................................................................................................... 4

Transportation Alternatives & SRTS Joint Solicitation Full Application......................................................5

Section 1: General Information.............................................................................................................5

Project Information........................................................................................................................... 5

Contact Information.......................................................................................................................... 5

Section 2: Project Budget...................................................................................................................... 6

Table A – Eligible Items......................................................................................................................6

Table B – Ineligible Items...................................................................................................................6

Total Project Budget..........................................................................................................................6

Section 3: SRTS Project Evaluation........................................................................................................7

A. School Support.............................................................................................................................. 7

B. Local SRTS Program.......................................................................................................................8

C. Type of Work................................................................................................................................. 8

D. Information.................................................................................................................................. 9

E. Safety.............................................................................................................................................9

F. Estimated Project Costs.................................................................................................................9

G. SRTS Evaluation...........................................................................................................................10

H. Attachments................................................................................................................................10

Section 4: ATP Project Evaluation........................................................................................................11

Section 5: MPO Project Evaluation......................................................................................................16

Section 6: Sponsoring Agency Resolution............................................................................................17

Sample Resolution Language...........................................................................................................17

Section 7: Resolution Agreeing to Maintain Facility............................................................................18

Sample Resolution Language...........................................................................................................18

Section 8: Application Checklist..........................................................................................................19

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Section 9: Signatures........................................................................................................................... 21

Notes: The solicitation for Transportation Alternatives funding for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties) is conducted by the Metropolitan Council and the Transportation Advisory Board. For more information about the metro area solicitation, visit the Met Council website.

For SRTS Infrastructure applicants in the Twin Cities metropolitan region, visit the MnDOT SRTS Website website for more information.

Applications should be submitted on-line at: D6.StateAid@state.mn.us

For more information contact:

Heather Lukes, Planning DirectorMnDOT District 62900 48th St NWRochester, MN 55901507-286-7552

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OverviewFor the 2018/19 application cycle, MnDOT is conducting a joint solicitation for Transportation Alternatives and Safe Routes to School infrastructure projects. The same application will be used for both funding programs. You only need to submit the one application form to automatically be considered for both programs, as eligible. Important eligibility requirements to be aware of are noted below.

The Safe Routes to School funding available through this solicitation is primarily for project construction in fiscal years 2020 and 2021. Safe Routes to School funding does not require any local match. Projects located anywhere in Minnesota are eligible for this funding. The maximum award for SRTS Infrastructure projects in $300,000.

The Transportation Alternatives funding available through this solicitation is primarily for project construction in fiscal year 2023. Transportation Alternatives funding requires a 20 percent local match. Only projects located outside of the seven-county metropolitan area are eligible for Transportation Alternatives funding. Maximum funding awards are set by each Area Transportation Partnership. Projects that receive SRTS Infrastructure funding will not receive 2023 Transportation Alternatives funding.

See the TA Solicitation Guidebook and SRTS Infrastructure Program Guidance for more information about each program and additional eligibility requirements.

2018/19 Solicitation Timeline Monday, October 1st, 2018 – Announce joint Transportation Alternatives and Safe Routes to School

solicitation. Open letter of intent period. Wednesday, October 31st, 2018 – Deadline for applicants to submit letters of intent. Friday, November 16th, 2018 – Deadline for RDO/MPO/district review of letters of intent.

Recommendation to proceed forward with full application given to applicants. Monday, November 19th, 2018 – Official start of full application period. Friday, January 4th, 2019 – Deadline for applicants to submit full applications. Friday, February 15th, 2019 – SRTS-funded projects shared with ATPs. Monday, April 15th, 2019 – Deadline for ATPs to select TA projects.

Related Documents TA Solicitation Guidebook – includes information related to the overall solicitation process and

eligibility requirements for Transportation Alternatives funding. SRTS Infrastructure Program Guidance – includes guidance specific to eligibility for Safe Routes to

School funding and project selection process. TA and SRTS Joint Solicitation Letter of Intent Worksheet – includes information on the letter of intent

review process and a worksheet to assist with completing the online letter of intent form.

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Transportation Alternatives & SRTS Joint Solicitation Full Application

Section 1: General Information

This section is required for all applicants.

Notes:

If the overall project contains ineligible elements, please mention the entire project in the brief project description but concentrate the application and budget on the elements that are eligible for the funding you are seeking.

Sponsoring Agencies, if sponsoring for another project applicant, are advised to have dialog with the project applicant to ascertain the level of commitment by the applicant to follow through on delivery of the project, including the potential use of Eminent.

Project Information

Name of project: Click here to enter text.

Project is located in which county(ies): Click here to enter text.

Brief project description: Click here to enter text.

Project applicant: Click here to enter text.

Contact Information

Contact person (from applicant agency/organization): Click here to enter text.

Mailing address: Click here to enter text.

City: Click here to enter text. State: Click here to enter text. Zip: Click here to enter text.

Phone: Click here to enter text. Fax: Click here to enter text. Email: Click here to enter text.

Sponsoring agency (if different than applicant): Click here to enter text.

Contact person (from sponsoring agency, if different than applicant): Click here to enter text.

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Section 2: Project Budget

This section is required for all applicants.

Notes:

Please identify what costs will be incurred to carry out the proposed project, using the following budget categories as a guideline. Where appropriate, break down your costs by units purchased. For example: number of acres, cubic yards of fill, etc. Attach additional sheets if necessary.

Cost estimates are to be submitted in current year dollars1.

Table A – Eligible Items

Eligible work/construction item

Estimated quantity Unit cost Total cost

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

Table B – Ineligible Items2

Ineligible work/construction item

Estimated quantity Unit cost Total cost

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

Total Project Budget

1. Total cost of proposed project (Total Table A + Total Table B): $Click to enter amount.2. Items not eligible for Transportation Alternatives funding (Total Table B): $Click to enter amount.3. Total eligible costs – (minimum $100,000 for SRST only funding or minimum $250,000 for Transportation

Alternative funding)3 (Total Table A): $Click to enter amount.

1 Grant recipients will need to provide a match based on the year of construction estimate developed when the grant is awarded.2 Includes Right of Way or Land Acquisition (e.g. appraisal fees, legal fees), Administrative Costs (e.g. preliminary and construction engineering and contingencies)3 See the ATP Project Evaluation section of this document for any additional requirements related to project costs.

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4. Applicant’s contribution toward the eligible alternative project costs – minimum 20% match required: $Click to enter amount.

5. Total amount requested in transportation alternatives funds (#3 minus #4): $Click to enter amount.

Section 3: SRTS Project Evaluation

This section is required for all SRTS projects regardless of funding source. Non-SRTS Transportation Alternatives projects should skip this section.

A. School Support

1. Name of school 2. Grades 3. Number enrolled

4. Percent bussed

5. Percent walkers

6. Percent free and reduced lunch

% % %

% % %

% % %

% % %

% % %

% % %

7. Describe plans, if any, to move the school(s) or change the function of the school(s) within the next 10 years (500 character limit): Click here to enter text.

8. Does your school(s) or school district have a no walking and/or bicycling to school policy? If yes, please explain why the policy is in place (500 character limit):

Click here to enter text.

9. Does your school(s) provide hazard busing (busing kids within walking radius set by the school district because of dangerous conditions)? If yes, please explain what the hazards are (500 character limit)

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10. List and describe policies at the school(s) or school district that encourages walking and bicycling (e.g. wellness policies promoting physical activities at school, policies that support crossing guards) (1,000 character limit):

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11. List policies at the school(s) or school district that potentially may change with this project (1,000 character limit): Click here to enter text.

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B. Local SRTS Program

1. Does the school(s) have a SRTS plan? Click here to enter text.

2. Check or list 6E Strategies implemented at the school(s): Click here to enter text.

Education☐ Walk! Bike! Fun!☐ Crossing Guard/Safety Patrol training☐ School flyers☐ School newsletter☐ Other: Click here to enter text.Enforcement☐ Adult crossing guards☐ Law enforcement☐ Dynamic Speed Signs☐ Other: Click here to enter text.

Encouragement☐ Bike Rodeo☐ Walk to School Day☐ Bike to School Day☐ Bus Drop-off and Walk☐ Winter Walk to School Day☐ Other: Click here to enter text.Evaluation☐ Baseline Student Travel Tally☐ Parent Opinion survey☐ Other: Click here to enter text.

Engineering☐ Engineering study☐ Filled in sidewalk gaps☐ Improved route crossings (crosswalk markings/signs)☐ Other: Click here to enter text.Equity☐ Multilingual SRTS information☐ Other: Click here to enter text.

C. Type of Work

Chose Federal or State funding, or both if no preference.

State Bond Funded SRTS Project

Note: Must be completed by end of 2021

Check the type of work requested on this project. Check all that apply.

☐ Matching funds for SRTS projects funded with federal funds (Complete question 3 in Project Information section. Attach original SRTS application.)

Project is identified in SRTS plans Project is listed in the 2018 - 2021 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)

☐ Construction (Complete questions 1-2 in Project Information Section.)

Separated off-road facilities: sidewalk, path, and trails On-road facilities: bicycle lanes, or bicycle boulevards Traffic control devices: signs and pavement marking Crossing improvements: midblock or intersection improvements SRTS funds will reimburse up to $300,000 in construction costs

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Federally funded Transportation Alternatives Project

Note: Funding dispersed in federal fiscal year 2023

☐ Construction (Complete all following sections.)

Separated off-road facilities: sidewalk, path, and trails On-road facilities: bicycle lanes, or bicycle boulevards Traffic control devices: signs and pavement marking Crossing improvements: midblock or intersection improvements

D. Information

1. Are improvements identified in a SRTS plan? Click here to enter text.

If no, explain how improvements were identified, planned and prioritized (1,000 character limit): Click here to enter text.

2. Provide a description of the proposed project (2,000 character limit): Click here to enter text.

3. For local match projects, identify the project number additional funds are requested for and explain why additional funds are needed (1,000 character limit): Click here to enter text.

E. Safety

1. Identify the safety risks or hazards students have walking or bicycling to school. Reference student and parent survey data, crash data, or other relevant sources where these safety risks are identified (1,000 character limit): Click here to enter text.

2. Explain how this project address the safety risks and makes the routes to and from school safer for students who walk and bike (1,000 character limit): Click here to enter text.

3. Estimate the number of students using the route the project is on to walk and bicycle to school: Click here to enter text.

F. Estimated Project Costs

This section is required for applicants interested in SRTS funding. SRTS applicants only interested in Transportation Alternatives funding should skip this section.

Source of Funding Amount

SRTS State Request:

SRTS Federal Request:

State Aid Funds:

Local/Other Funds:

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Source of Funding Amount

Total Project Cost:

SRTS Award:

G. SRTS Evaluation

1. If awarded funds, the school(s) will commit to following up with evaluations (Student Travel Tally and Parent Opinion Survey): ☐ Yes ☐ No

H. Attachments

Please attach the following to this application:

☐ School board resolution, certifying that:

the governing body of the school supports the project funds, if any, required to be supplied by the school to complete the project are available and committed

(if the local agency is certifying this the school does not need to)

☐ Local agency resolution, certifying that:

the community benefiting from this project has adopted subdivision regulations that require safe routes to school infrastructure in developments authorized on or after June 1, 2016

Funds, if any, required to be supplied by the local agency to complete the project are available and committed (if the school is certifying this the local agency does not need to)

☐ Project location map(s) with routes and schools labeled

☐ Baseline Student Travel Tally and Parent Survey reports

☐ Project schedule with milestone dates (plan submittal, construction start, and construction completion)

☐ Engineer’s Estimate with itemized breakdown (if applying for State funds for a Construction project)

☐ Typical section of the proposed project (if applicable)

☐ Awarded SRTS application (if requesting local match)

☐ SRTS plan or link to SRTS plan online

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Section 4: ATP Project Evaluation

This section is required for applicants.

Project Name:

Below are criteria that the application must satisfy. Based on the information you provide, the ATP will determine project eligibility and prioritization.

1. Eligibility. The project is eligible for Transportation Alternatives funding.

a. The project must fall within one of the eligible activities listed below (please check the appropriate category(ies)):

ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

☐ On-road and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized forms of transportation.

☐ Conversion and use of abandoned railroad corridors for trails for pedestrian, bicyclists, or other non-motorized transportation users.

☐ Safe routes for non-drivers, including children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities to access daily needs.

☐ Transportation projects to achieve Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 compliance.

☐ Construction of turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas.

☐ Inventory, control, or removal of outdoor advertising.

☐ Vegetation management to improve roadway safety, prevent against invasive species, and to provide erosion control.

☐ Archaeological activities.☐ Environmental mitigation to address storm water management.☐ Reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality or restore/maintain habitat

connectivity.☐ Scenic byways☐ Safe Routes to School projects

b. Describe the work you want to do for which you are seeking Transportation Alternative funding:

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Click here to enter text.

2. Serves a Transportation Purpose. TA projects must serve a transportation purpose.

For the TA program, “Transportation purpose” is defined as primarily serving a commuting purpose and / or that connect two destinations points; a facility may serve both transportation and recreation purposes; a facility that connects people to recreational destinations may be considered to have a transportation purpose.

a.Describe how your project serves a transportation purpose:

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b. Describe who the anticipated users of your project will be, once implemented.

Click here to enter text.

3. Safety. Describe how the proposed project will address or alleviate safety issues or concerns.

Click here to enter text.

4. Planning. Preference will be given to projects that have undergone a public input/participation and review process. Examples of plans include: State, Regional, MPO Transportation Plan, Safe Routes to School Plan, Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan, ADA Transition Plan, GreenStep City, Active Living Plan, Comprehensive/Land Use Plan. Please include pages from the plan(s) that relate to or support the project described in this application (do not send the entire plan).

a. Describe the public process this project has undergone and/or where this project emerged.

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b. Describe the goals of the plan and how this project will advance those goals.

Click here to enter text.

c. Describe how the project serves current and future land use.

Click here to enter text.

d. Describe if there have been objections to the project and how were they resolved,

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responded to, or handled.

Click here to enter text.

e. Describe how this project will address system gaps (if applicable).

Click here to enter text.

f. How it will increase the connectivity of transportation facilities.

Click here to enter text.

g. If the project is not part of a plan at this time, please indicate what will be the process to obtain public input and gauge public support for the project. When will the public input occur.

Click here to enter text.5. Ensure Project Deliverability. Transportation Alternative funds must be used in the federal

fiscal year in which they are approved. In previous years, ATPs permitted projects to slide a year if they were not ready for construction. The ATP no longer has this flexibility . It is important that the applicant describe processes that have been completed/planned and will lead to timely project delivery:

a. Describe the project development and deliverability using a timeline with estimated dates (consult an engineer if needed).

Click here to enter text.

b. Describe the Project Sponsor and Applicant’s (recipient agency) role and support of the project (e.g. staff and elected official roles, project funding, commitment to on-going maintenance needs). If the applicant is different than the sponsor, describe how the responsibilities will be delegated and indicate Project Sponsor and Applicant’s knowledge and experience with administering projects funded with federal dollars.

Click here to enter text.

c. To ensure project delivery Applicant’s should be aware of the following potential issues. Please mark “yes” or “no” next to each of the items below:

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COMMENTS (If you would like to further explain any of your responses to 5c, please feel free to do so in the comment box below):

Click here to enter text.

d. Describe potential supporters and potential opponents of the project.

Click here to enter text.

e. If the project takes place within a local unit of government, where the LUG is not the project applicant, nor the project sponsor, describe how all LUG’s have come to support

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POTENTIAL ISSUES

Does the project use Section 4(f) Park Lands or properties and / or Section 6(f)? ☐Yes ☐No

Does the project occur within any areas of effect on properties listed, or eligible for listing, on the National Register of Historic Places?

☐Yes ☐No

Does the project affect species or critical habitat protected by the Endangered Species Act?

☐Yes ☐No

Does the project involve placement of fill into Waters of the U.S.? ☐Yes ☐No

Does the project encroach into a floodplain /wetlands? ☐Yes ☐No

Does the project add sidewalk in a residential area? ☐Yes ☐No

Is the project anticipated to be controversial? ☐Yes ☐No

Will the project involve relocation of utilities? (water, sewer, electric, cable) ☐Yes ☐No

Will the project involve assessing costs to affected property owners? ☐Yes ☐No

Have maintenance responsibilities been determined? ☐Yes ☐No

Does the project involve removal of trees? ☐Yes ☐No

Does the property involve redevelopment of an area? ☐Yes ☐No

Does the project involve properties with previous uses that involved hazardous materials?

☐Yes ☐No

Does the project involve work on or immediately adjacent to railroad right of way? ☐Yes ☐No

Is the project within the airport influence zone? ☐Yes ☐No

and approve the project. Attach resolutions of support from the applicant, the sponsor if different from the applicant) and any other local unit of government affected by the project (affected entities may include townships, tribal governments, school districts, municipalities, counties, byways, etc).

Click here to enter text.

f. Transportation Alternative projects must be submitted through/by a public agency, regional transportation authority, tribal government, county or a city with a population greater than 5,000 persons. Cities with less than 5,000 population, townships, school districts, and organizations must have their alternative application/project sponsored by their respective county. The sponsoring county or city must pass a resolution indicating their willingness to be the project sponsoring agency with responsibility for seeing the project through to its completion. The local unit of government, if different from the Sponsoring Agency, must also adopt a Resolution of Support.

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Section 5: MPO Project Evaluation

This section is required for applicants.

The La Crosse Area Planning Committee (LAPC) has an established set of criteria for Transportation Alternative projects. For more information on their prioritization criteria, please contact:

Tom Faella, Executive DirectorLa Crosse Area Planning Committee (LAPC)La Crosse County Administrative Center212 6th Street North, Room 1200La Crosse, WI 54601(608) 785-5977tfaella@lacrossecounty.org

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Section 6: Sponsoring Agency Resolution

This section is required for all applicants.

Notes:

A resolution of sponsorship from the sponsoring agency is required for each project. The resolution must be approved by an eligible sponsoring agency. Please attach an original signed copy of the resolution. An example of sample language which can be used by a sponsoring agency is listed below.

Sample Resolution Language

Be it resolved that [city, county or agency name] agrees to act as sponsoring agency for the project identified as [project name] seeking [type of funding seeking] and has reviewed and approved the project as proposed. Sponsorship includes a willingness to secure and guarantee the local share of costs associated with this project and responsibility for seeing this project through to its completion, with compliance of all applicable laws, rules and regulations.

Be it further resolved that [sponsoring agency contact person name] is hereby authorized to act as agent on behalf of this sponsoring agency.

Certification

I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true and correct copy of a resolution adopted by [city, county or agency name] on this [date] day of [month], [year].

SIGNED:

(Signature)

(Title)

(Date)

WITNESSED:

(Signature)

(Title)

(Date)

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Section 7: Resolution Agreeing to Maintain Facility

This section is required for applicants.

Notes:

A Resolution agreeing to maintain the facility for its useful life is also required for each project. The resolution must be approved by an eligible sponsoring agency. Please attach an original signed copy of the resolution. An example of sample language which can be used by a sponsoring agency is listed below.

Sample Resolution Language

WHEREAS: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requires that states agree to operate and maintain facilities constructed with federal transportation funds for the useful life of the improvement and not change the use of right of way or property ownership acquired without prior approval from the FHWA; and

WHEREAS: Transportation Alternatives projects receive federal funding; and

WHEREAS: the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has determined that for projects implemented with alternative funds, this requirement should be applied to the project proposer; and

WHEREAS: [city county or agency name] is the sponsoring agency for the transportation alternatives project identified as [project name].

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the sponsoring agency hereby agrees to assume full responsibility for the operation and maintenance of property and facilities related to the aforementioned transportation alternatives project.

Certification

I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true and correct copy of a resolution adopted by [city, county or agency name] on this [date] day of [month], [year].

SIGNED:

(Signature)

(Title)

(Date)

WITNESSED:

(Signature)

(Title)

(Date)

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Section 8: Application Checklist

This section is required for all applicants.

CHECKLIST OF COMPLETION: This checklist is for the convenience of the Applicant to ensure all Transportation Alternative elements have been addressed. Applications must specifically and directly address each criterion to qualify and receive points.

Applicant completed the Letter of Intent (LOI)

MnDOT District 6/MPO reviewed LOI and recommended that the project move forward to full application

MnDOT District 6/MPO reviewed LOI and suggested applicant wait until project is further developed, but we are submitting anyway

No LOI was submitted

_________ Application Form Information Section 1

Provided brief project description Has an eligible sponsoring agency

Contact Person/information for sponsoring agency and applicant

Appropriate signatures/approvals have been obtained

Section 2

Itemized Project Budget

Meets Minimum ($250,000) eligible cost for Transportation Alternative funding only or Meets Minimum ($100,000) eligible costs for Safe Routes to School funding

Documentation of 20% or more funding match

Section 3

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Project is eligible for SRTS funding

Resolution of Support from School Board and Local Agency

Appropriate attachments have been provided.

Section 4

Project is eligible for TA funding

Project was in a plan and a copy of the page was provided

Identified how it serves a transportation purpose

Project Deliverability – answered risk assessment questions

Adequately identified role of Project Sponsor vs. Project Applicant

Resolution of Support from Local Unit(s) of Government (Section 7)

Letter of Support from State or Federal agency(ies), if applicable

Section 5

Project is eligible for TA funding and meets requirement of MPO.

Section 6

Resolution of Sponsorship from Eligible Agency

Section 7

Resolution to Maintain / Operate Facility

_________ Other Enclosures (where applicable)

Project Location Map (with enough detail to show the proposed project in relation to surrounding features)

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Documentation of financial support (letters, agreements, etc)

Documentation of Plans and Public participation

Maps, Graphics, photos

As part of the application process, applicants are required to present their project to ATP 8 TAP Subcommittee on Friday February 9th, 2018 in Granite Falls, MN (tentative date and location). The TA subcommittee will contact you with further details.

Proposals for projects in ATP 8 (Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville and Yellow Medicine Counties) MUST be submitted electronically to lindsey.bruer@state.mn.us at or before 4:30 pm on Friday January 12, 2018.

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Section 9: Signatures

This section is required for all applicants.

Notes: Signatures are required from the following – project applicant; sponsoring agency engineer, if different than the project applicant; a representative of the local unit of government in which the project is located; and the MPO Executive Director, if the project is located in a MPO area.

(Applicant Signature) (Date)

(Sponsoring Agency Engineer Signature) (Date)

(Local Unit of Government Signature) (Date)

(If in MPO area, signature of MPO Executive Director) (Date)

(If Safe Routes to School project, signature of MnDOT SRTS Coordinator or (Date)documentation of SRTS Coordinator support)

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