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Vermont Transportation Enhancements

Program Summary

and

2013 Application Guide

Route 30, Cornwall - Pedestrian Shoulder Improvements

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Contents

Program Summary

3 2013 Program Schedule

Federal Authorization Legislation

Purpose of Transportation Enhancements

4 Vermont’s Unique Program

Eligible Activities

5 Project Match Requirements

Post Award Steps

Local Project Manager

Reimbursement

Payback Provision

Audit Requirements

Local Transportation Facilities (LTF) Guidebook

6 Twelve Categories of Eligible Projects

Application Guide

9 Program Schedule

Application Process Requirements

10 General Instructions

Step-by-Step Application Instructions

12 Application Scoring Criteria

Supporting Documents/Maps

15 Submission Requirements

16 Application Selection Process

Agency Contacts

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2013 Program Schedule

Letters of intent are due - July 13.

Annual mandatory training sessions

at Vermont Interactive Technologies

(VIT) - September 4, 2:00 to 4:00pm

and September 5, 5:00 to 7:00pm.

Applications are due - October 5.

Projects are selected by the TE

Committee in December 2012 - and

awards are announced in January

2013.

Program Summary

Federal Authorization Legislation - The Transportation

Enhancements Program was created as a result of the Inter-modal

Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) which created a

new federal–aid program called the Surface Transportation Program

(STP). This program mandated that all states set aside a percentage

of their STP authorization exclusively for ten categories of

transportation enhancements as a means to integrate transportation

facilities into the surrounding communities. ISTEA’s successor

legislative acts have continued the Transportation Enhancements

Program and expanded the number of program categories to twelve.

Purpose of Transportation Enhancements – The goal of ISTEA was

the creation of a national inter-modal transportation system that

“must be the centerpiece of a national investment commitment to create the new wealth of the nation

for the 21st century.” It defines this system as “all forms of transportation in a unified, interconnected

manner...” The Enhancement Program reflects a growing recognition that transportation programs,

while vital for national mobility and international competitiveness, must also be environmentally sound.

This program gives us the opportunity to mitigate unintended negative effects of the transportation

system. An important program at the heart of improving Vermonters’ quality of life is the transportation

enhancements program. Vermont Transportation Enhancements activities offer communities the

opportunity to expand transportation choices. Activities such as safe bicycle and pedestrian facilities,

scenic routes, beautification, and other investments increase opportunities for recreation, accessibility,

and safety for everyone beyond traditional highway programs. The focus of building Vermont’s

transportation system involves consideration of environmental, cultural, economic, and social

conditions in an effort to create a more balanced transportation system which provides people with

Moss Glen Falls Overlook, Granville

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choices and with a richer experience. Eligible TE projects must demonstrate a strong connection to

transportation.

Vermont’s Unique Program – The Vermont Legislature has created a Vermont specific program utilizing the Federal authorization and a unique State approach. Vermont’s program provides funding to municipalities, government agencies and non-profits through a competitive grant program. The program is defined in State Statue under: 19 V.S.A. § 38. - Transportation Enhancement Grant Program. The law establishes a grant selection committee as follows: The Vermont Transportation Enhancement Grant Committee is created and shall be comprised of the Secretary of Transportation or his or her designee, a representative from the Division of Historic Preservation appointed by the Secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, one member to be appointed by the Secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development to represent the tourism and marketing industry, a representative of the Agency of Natural Resources appointed by the Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources, three municipal representatives appointed by the governing body of the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, one member representing and appointed by the governing board of the Vermont Association of Planning and Development Agencies, two members from the House designated by the Speaker, and two members from the Senate designated by the Committee on Committees.

There is an application minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $300,000 in federal funds.

Eligible Activities – The TE program provides funds to eligible projects for these basic activities:

Scoping (feasibility) studies

Project design and environmental permitting

Right-of-way acquisition

Construction of facilities

Scoping Studies – Many projects that are funded for design and construction are the result of a formal

Scoping or Feasibility Study. You may wish to consider applying for a Scoping Study before you apply for

funds to design and construct a project. Scoping Studies help rule out all unintended consequences and

provide more confidence that a project will be successfully completed. A Scoping Study will bolster

support for a future Transportation Enhancements application for design and construction funding.

Activities of a study include:

defining the purpose and need of the project;

identifying potential impacts on the environmental resources in preparation for a National

Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) clearance;

initial review of potential right-of-way needs:

selecting preferred alternative solutions or phased projects; and

estimating project management, design and construction costs.

Construction Projects – The Transportation Enhancements Program does not fund design only projects.

All projects, other than Scoping Studies, must go to construction or there is a pay-back provision (see

page 5). Most projects lead to construction. Exceptions include programs for safety and education

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(Category 2) and scenic easement purchases (Category 3). See Twelve Categories of Eligible Projects on

page 5.

Project Match Requirements – A minimum of twenty percent (20%) of the total project cost must be

provided by the Sponsor. At least half of the twenty percent match must be in cash expenditures. Match

from other grant programs may or may not be eligible toward the TE program so check with the

program coordinator to confirm eligibility. In-kind match is subject to approval by VTrans.

Post Award Steps – After the award is made the Sponsor in collaboration with the Agency finalizes a

Scope of Work and enters into a Grant Agreement (GA) with the Agency. The GA identifies the

responsibilities of both parties and sets the maximum limiting amount of the grant award. By entering

into the agreement the Sponsor agrees to follow FHWA and Agency requirements and be responsible for

the long-term maintenance of the improvement.

Local Project Manager (LPM) – The Vermont Transportation Enhancements Program is housed in the

Local Transportation Facilities Section (LTF) of the Agency’s Project Development Division. LTF is the

liaison for locally-managed projects. Each project is assigned an LTF Project Supervisor who collaborates

with the Sponsor throughout the development of the project. Sponsors are also required to have a local

project manager. Sponsors can either utilize a qualified staff member to carry out project management,

or contract with a private consultant or their Regional Planning Commission. Local Project Managers

(LPM’s) are responsible for the day-to-day management and administrative duties and advancing the

project to completion. LTF staff will provide the LPM with technical assistance in such areas as funding

eligibility, procurement, right-of-way acquisition and environmental permitting to keep the project

moving forward in a timely and compliant fashion and to ensure that the federal and state laws, policies

and standards are followed.

Reimbursement – The Transportation Enhancements Program is a reimbursement program. Sponsors

submit invoices for completed work and the Agency pays 80% of the total up to the award amount. Up

to half of the Sponsor’s required 20% match (or 10%) can be derived from preapproved in-kind services

or ROW donations. At least half (or 10%) must be in cash.

Payback Provision – Before you apply you should understand that all projects must be completed or all

expenses reimbursed with federal funds will be required to be paid back.

Audit Requirements – Sponsors are responsible for complying with the Single Audit Act for the period

during which their Grant Agreement is open. This requires an annual reporting of financial information.

Local Transportation Facilities (LTF) Guidebook – All projects are developed according to the guidelines

published in the Local Transportation Facilities Guidebook for Municipally Managed Projects. The

document appendices can be found at:

http://www.aot.state.vt.us/progdev/Sections/LTF%20Info/LTFGuidebookMunicProj62011.htm

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Twelve Categories of Eligible Projects

All projects must demonstrate a strong transportation connection and meet one or more of these

eligible categories:

1. Provision of Facilities for Pedestrians and Bicycles – examples include: Sidewalks, walkways or curb ramps; shared-use paths; bike lane striping, wide paved shoulders, bike parking and bus racks; bike and pedestrian bridges and underpasses.

Pedestrian and bicycle projects should focus on the elimination of barriers to walking and bicycling,

and the implementation of a continuous system of walkways, pathways and crosswalks throughout

the community. Emphasis on connectivity to existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities; young

children, older adults and people with disabilities; pedestrian relationship to transit; and aesthetics

and livability will be considered a plus. Pedestrian and bicycle projects that enhance larger

transportation projects and which resolve conflicts between users of different modes in favor of

pedestrians and bicyclists are encouraged. Applicants are discouraged from submitting proposals

that appear to concentrate heavily on routine maintenance or spot repairs of existing pedestrian

facilities.

2. Provision of Safety and Educational Activities for Pedestrians and Bicyclists – Programs designed to

encourage walking and bicycling.

Non-construction costs to provide safety training, facilitator fees and classes are eligible. Related

training materials such as brochures, video tapes, limited staff salaries, and space rentals are also

eligible. Proposals should define the time period and salaries as part of the local match to the

project. Activities must show a relationship to surface transportation. Projects do not need to be

located on or adjacent to a federal-aid highway route. Efforts should not duplicate those being

conducted with other funds through state and community traffic safety programs.

3. Acquisition of Scenic Easements and Scenic or Historic Sites – examples include: Acquisition of scenic land easements, vistas and landscapes; purchase of buildings in historic districts or historic properties; preservation of farmland.

This category may be applied to the purchase, donation, transfer or trade of lands which possess

significant aesthetic, historic, natural, visual or open space values, including agricultural land and

property listed – or eligible to be listed – on the National Register of Historic Places.

4. Scenic or Historic Highway Programs (including the provision of Tourist and Welcome Center facilities) – examples include: Construction of turnouts and overlooks; visitor centers and viewing areas; designation signs and markers.

This category covers protection and enhancement of state or federally-designated scenic or historic

highways. Funds are intended primarily for projects that will protect and enhance the scenic,

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historic, cultural, natural and archaeological integrity and visitor appreciation of an existing

designated scenic or historic highway.

Tourist and welcome centers do not have to be located on a designated scenic or historic byway, but

there must be a clear link to scenic or historic sites. It also does not need to be immediately adjacent

to a federal-aid highway. The connection should account for the character of the area that makes it

scenic. Existing and new centers may be considered. This may include construction costs for interiors

and parking. The intent is not to repair or restore rest areas or parking areas, but rather to fund

activities clearly related to scenic or historic programs and sites. The relationship to surface

transportation must be identified. The centers must be publicly-owned and open to the public.

5. Landscaping and Other Scenic Beautification – examples include: Improvements such as street furniture, lighting; public art and landscaping along streets, historic highways, trails and interstate highways, waterfronts and gateways.

This category includes landscape planning, design and construction projects that enhance the

aesthetic or ecological resources along transportation corridors, points of access, and lands

qualifying for other categories of TE activities.

6. Historic Preservation – examples include: Preservation of buildings and facades in historic districts;

restoration and re-use of historic buildings for transportation-related purposes; access

improvements to historic sites and buildings.

Projects in this category should preserve or enhance historic preservation activities as they relate to

the transportation system. Simple proximity to the transportation system alone will not qualify

projects; however, if proximity is the primary relation to the transportation system, then the project

must be within a designated scenic area, or alternate transportation route (such as a bikeway) as

defined by the state or regional plan. The scenic area must be more than one site; it should be a

district or corridor, probably with a number of specific sites. The project must be part of a larger

transportation plan to enhance a particular scenic or historic route. The environment around the

site must be of appropriate scenic value to the transportation corridor. Only outside façade

renovation and necessary structural work will be funded, unless the inside is also used by the

traveling public. Funding is subject to FHWA approval. Historic preservation activities may include

the identification, evaluation, recording, documenting, interpreting, curating, acquisition,

protection, rehabilitation, restoration and stabilization of an historic landscape, district, building,

structure, object or site that is related to transportation and listed on – or eligible to be listed on –

the National Register of Historic Places.

7. Rehabilitation and Operation of Historic Transportation Buildings, Structures, or Facilities –

examples include: Restoration of railroad depots, bus stations and lighthouses; rehabilitation of rail

trestles, tunnels and bridges.

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This category includes historic railroad facilities and canals. Historic transportation buildings or

structures associated with the operation, passenger and freight use, construction or maintenance of

any mode of transportation where such buildings are listed on – or eligible to be listed on – the

National Register of Historic Places, contributes to a National Register Historic District, or a local

landmark or contributing resources within a local historic district designated by a local government.

8. Preservation of Abandoned Railway Corridors (including conversion for pedestrian or bicycle trails)

examples include: Acquisition of railway rights-of-way; planning, design and construction of multi-

use trails; development of rail-with-trail projects; purchase of unused railway property for re-use.

This category includes the planning, acquisition, rehabilitation and development of rail corridors for

public uses, including bicycle and pedestrian use, consistent with the goals of Category #1, Provision

of Facilities for Pedestrians and Bicyclists. It permits the development and rehabilitation of privately-

owned rail corridors open to the general public.

9. Control and Removal of Outdoor Advertising – N/A (billboards are illegal in Vermont)

10. Archaeological Planning and Research – examples include: Research, preservation and interpretation; development of interpretive signs, exhibits and guides; inventories and surveys.

This category includes, but is not limited to, research on sites eligible for TE funds; experimental

projects in archaeological site preservation and interpretation; planning to improve identification;

evaluation and treatment of archaeological sites and using data from transportation-related

archaeological sites. Data recovery, development of sensitivity models, research designs to guide

future surveys and interpretation of sites is included.

11. Environmental Mitigation of Highway Runoff and Vehicle-caused Wildlife Mortality – This category is for project-specific activities, rather than research and scoping studies. Activities include retrofitting a highway to reduce water pollution by creating a wetland to filter runoff, improving streams and drainage channels through landscaping to promote filtering and to improve the overall water quality conditions of receiving channels, or acquiring easements or building structures to mitigate vehicle-caused wildlife mortality.

This category is limited to projects that are in addition to current requirements and procedures for

such mitigation and includes wetlands acquisition and restoration; detention and sediment basins,

river clean-ups, and reconstruction of salt sheds that have a documented water pollution problem.

Projects that demonstrate aesthetic and ecological methods for mitigation are encouraged. Funds

may not be used to finance normal environmental mitigation work. State of Vermont standards

regarding water pollution and aquatic habitat alteration should provide applicable definitions for

water quality standards under this category.

This category also provides for environmental mitigation to reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality

while maintaining habitat connectivity. Funding for reduction of vehicle-caused wildlife mortality is

not limited to threatened and endangered species, and should be based on migration patterns,

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habitat use, and distribution and crossing characteristics of the wildlife through data collection on

safety of motorists, habitat fragmentation and wildlife mortality.

12. Establishment of Transportation Museums – Conversion of railway stations and historic properties to museums with transportation themes.

This category provides for the planning, design and construction of transportation museums. Facility

operations and maintenance costs are not covered. Elements of a building or project that do not

relate to surface transportation are not eligible. Museums must be open to the public and operated

by a not-for-profit organization.

Application Guidelines

Program Schedule

Letters of intent are due - July 13.

Annual mandatory training sessions via Vermont Interactive Technologies (VIT) - September 4,

2:00 to 4:00pm and September 5, 5:00 to 7:00pm.

Applications are due - October 5.

Projects are selected by the TE Committee in December 2012 - and awards are announced in

January 2013.

Application Process Requirements

Required Letters of Intent (due July 13) – No application will be considered if there is not a

letter of intent received by the June deadline. The letter should include a brief summary of the

project. You may decide not to apply even after you furnish a letter of intent. See Appendices for

a sample letter

Required Training Sessions – All applicants are required to attend a mandatory training session.

There will be two sessions scheduled at Vermont Interactive Technologies (VIT) sites throughout

Vermont. These dates and times are: September 4, 2:00 to 4:00pm and September 5, 5:00 to

7:00pm. See Appendices for information on VIT locations.

Required Regional Planning Commission Support – All projects must receive a letter of support

from their Regional Planning Commission (RPC). See appendix for contact information for the

RPC in your region.

Required Public Meeting – All projects must have been presented to the public at a duly noticed

public meeting with a quorum of the governing body present prior to the application deadline.

The meeting must be advertised in a local newspaper at least 24 hours in advance (7 days is

recommended). The purpose of the meeting is to inform the community about the

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Transportation Enhancements Application and the project to solicit comments. Copies of the

meeting advertisement and the minutes of the meeting must be attached to the application.

Required Notification to VTrans District Transportation Administrator – Only projects located

in or adjacent to a State or Federal Highway Right-of-way must submit a description of the

project and/or plans to the District Transportation Administrator (DTA) in your region. The DTA

is in charge of maintenance of the State Highway System in their district. A copy of your

correspondence to the DTA and any comments from the DTA should be attached to your

application. See appendix for a list and contact information for the DTA in your region.

General Instructions

Please furnish sixteen (16) copies of your complete application by the deadline of October 5,

2012. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

If your organization is a non-profit, you will need to furnish a copy of your registration with the

Secretary of State.

Attach separate pages as necessary such as support letters, any engineering plans, feasibility

studies, reports, etc. Be sure to label each attachment with the project name.

Only one application from each organization per year will be considered.

Address all questions and criteria as concisely as possible. If you are unsure of any question or

criteria, please contact Kevin Russell, the Transportation Enhancements Program Coordinator

by phone at 802 828-0583 or email kevin.russell@state.vt.us .

Step-by-Step Application Instructions (each numbered item corresponds to the related section in the

application)

1. Sponsoring Organization – Only governmental organizations or approved non-profit

organizations may apply. If there are partner applicants, one applicant will be the lead and the

organization under a Grant Agreement. Provide the name and contact information of the person

responsible for the application. If a qualified non-profit, please enclose proof of non-profit

registration from the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office. Provide contact information for the

person responsible for the proposed project including email address if different from the

applicant.

2. Project Name and Title and Amount Requested – This is self explanatory. Give the project a

brief name or title. Tell us how much federal funding are you seeking (no more than 80% of your

total project estimate).

3. Project Description – In this section you should describe the project as concisely as possible. The

application reviewer should be able to determine precisely what it is you are proposing in the

first three sentences. The more concise and specific, the better. You should say what you are

going to build or do first, and then give the background information. Use the expandable space

within the Word document or provide a one-page attachment with the project description.

4. Project General Location – Provide information where the proposed work will be done and

identify the Regional Planning Commission. Demonstration of support from the Regional

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Planning Commission by way of a letter is an important requirement of the application. If your

project is a linear in nature, such as a sidewalk or bike path, please be sure to tell us the

approximate length. Check the boxes if the proposed project is located on or adjacent to a

Federal or State Highway system; Designated Downtown, Village or Growth Center; or within a

community with high unemployment. For the purpose of this application, the definition of high

unemployment is either a State designated area or a Town with an unemployment rate of 6% or

greater.

Important resources:

a. Designated Downtown, Village and Growth Centers -

http://accd.vermont.gov/strong_communities/opportunities/revitalization/downtown/l

ist

b. Unemployment figures -

http://www.vtlmi.info/Labforce.cfm?qperiodyear=2011&qareatype=12&qadjusted=Y

5. Public Meeting Requirement – Enter the date of the required public information meeting.

Attach the meeting notice and/or minutes of the meeting to the application.

6. Maintenance of the Completed Project – The Sponsor is responsible for the routine

maintenance of a completed construction project. If applicable, please explain who will be

responsible for this maintenance and the source of the funds that will be used to maintain the

facility.

7. Eligible Category/Percent of Project Budget – The Sponsor should check each eligible category.

Check only the categories that are specifically being addressed with the project. And, if more

than one category, apply the percent of the budget associated with each category.

8. Current Status of Project Development – Check the level of the project development status and

describe the milestones that have been complete to date. If you have an existing project with

the Local Transportation Facilities Section of VTrans, and are applying for additional funding,

please state the project number and describe the progress to date.

9. Property Ownership – All federal aid projects require that the property be acquired for the

public purpose - either through purchase, easement or condemnation in accordance with the

federal Uniform Relocation Act. A formal Right-of-way Clearance is issued by VTrans ROW

Section upon review and confirmation that the effort satisfies the federal law. Please check the

status of property ownership.

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Application Scoring Criteria

10. Vermont TE grant applications are judged on how well they address the 10 Selection Criteria.

The criteria are listed below, with some TE staff pointers on how you might want to address

those criteria, keeping in mind that each proposal is unique and your responses should be based

primarily on your research and knowledge of the specific project.

A. How does the project promote quality, linkage, and variety in Vermont’s transportation

system?

The nature of a proposed project’s relationship to surface transportation should be

discussed in the application.

Land and easement acquisition projects that are a “substantial distance away” from a

transportation project or highway must be determined to make a “substantial

contribution” to the scenic view-shed.

Proximity alone is not a sufficient relationship to surface transportation.

TE projects may be stand-alone projects or a part of larger “joint development” projects.

Explain linkages to other modes of transportation, including public transportation,

bicycling and walking facilities.

The TE Committee will score up to 10 points

B. Is the project compatible with relevant regional and local planning?

Notify your local Regional Planning Commission of your intent to apply.

If you receive a letter of support from your regional planning commission, include it in

your application, or include your letter requesting their support.

Include a letter of support from the local planning commission and/or cite specific

references to regional and local plans.

The Agency staff will score 0 or 5 points

C. What is the feasibility of this project?

Address any issues that may impede swift implementation of this project, including

environmental concerns, property ownership issues, or design challenges.

Discuss whether or not the municipality will be willing to proceed to condemnation

should property acquisitions be needed.

Include a full copy of any completed feasibility documentation for the project.

Discuss the project budget including the commitment of local matching funds. A good,

detailed project budget will help to demonstrate the feasibility of the project.

Discuss the long-term maintenance responsibilities and costs.

Include a letter of financial support for the 20% match (half of which must be in cash)

required of all projects from the municipality or your financial officer.

The TE committee will score up to 10 points.

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D. Does this project enjoy strong community support?

List supporting organizations and individuals, and include copies of support letters.

Include a letter of financial support and future maintenance responsibility from the

municipality or financial officer.

Identify whether the committed or anticipated local match is greater than 20%, and list

all sources of local matching funds, including the required 10% cash match.

The TE Committee will score up to 10 points.

E. How does this project provide improved facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists?

Address how the project will affect the transportation needs of young children, older

adults, and persons with disabilities.

Identify new or improved linkages to an existing network of bicycle and pedestrian

facilities, and how the project will eliminate potential barriers to bicycling and walking.

Address how this project will improve access to, or increase usage of, alternative

transportation modes.

Identify how the project enhances larger transportation projects and resolves conflicts

between users of different modes in favor of bicyclist and pedestrians.

Projects that are not primarily to provide a traveling surface for pedestrians or bicyclists

will not receive points under this criterion.

The TE Committee will score 5-10 points if the project has at least 50% of the project funding

request for this category.

F. Will this project be within a disadvantaged area of the state, as evidenced by State

designation or the town’s most recent U. S. Department of Labor rate of unemployment?

The State has designated Orleans and Essex Counties and the towns within the

geographic area of the Springfield Regional Development Corporation as areas of

particular economic disadvantage.

An economically disadvantaged area is otherwise defined by its rate of unemployment.

Give details on unemployment in the project area, if known.

Projects that are not within the State-designated areas or are within areas that have

unemployment rates under 6% will not receive points under this criterion.

The Agency staff will score 5 points if the project meets this criterion.

G. Does this project benefit a Designated Downtown, Designated Village, or Designated

Growth Center as defined by the Vermont Downtown Board?

Applicants must furnish a map with designated areas drawn and the project’s location.

Projects that are located within any of these designated centers will receive 5 points.

H. Explain how the project improves the safety of the transportation system?

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Describe how the project will affect the safety of the traveling public including all users

of the transportation system.

The TE Committee will score up to 5 points.

I. Explain how the project improves the economic wellbeing of the community?

Describe how the project will enhance the economic vitality of the community,

surrounding region or the State in general.

The TE Committee will score up to 5 points.

J. To what extent does the project support the mitigation of environmental impacts from

our transportation system – TE activity #11?

To qualify for bonus points under this criteria, projects must be an eligible

environmental mitigation project under a river corridor plan that has been adopted by

the agency of natural resources as part of a basin plan, under a municipal plan adopted

pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 4385, or under a mitigation plan adopted by the municipality

and approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Applicants must include

documentation accordingly.

The committee will score applications that meet the above criteria between 5-10 points if

greater than 50% of the project budget is specifically related to activity #11.

There will be 5 extra points for first time municipal applicants to the program.

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11. Project Cost Estimate – Provide a detailed estimate of project costs according to the outline

furnished in the application. Provide an explanation on how the estimate was developed such as

an engineer’s construction estimate, based on the VTrans Report on Share-Use Path and

Sidewalk Unit Costs 2012, or other method. Attach supporting documents as necessary.

12. Explanation of Local Match – There is a required local match of the federal funds awarded at a

minimum of 20% of the total project cost. This can be confusing. If you are applying for

$300,000 in federal funds, you will be required to have at least $75,000 in local match. For

example: Federal Award $300,000 (80%) + Local Match $75,000 (20%) = Total Project Cost

$375,000 (100%). Provide information as to the source of the local match. TE projects are

required to have at least half of the required local match in cash. In-kind donated services,

donations for materials and construction services and donated property acquisitions can be

eligible and are subject to approval. Award of a grant does not necessarily approve the proposed

local match.

13. Supporting Documents/Maps – Applicants should attach additional supporting documents such

as locator and/or base maps, engineering plans; scoping/feasibility studies, engineer’s

estimates, copies of support letters, photographs, etc. Please do not attach anything that is not

relevant or more than necessary and incidental to the proposed project.

14. Sponsor Signature – The application should be signed by a responsible party of the Sponsoring

organization.

Submission Requirements – Furnish sixteen (16) copies of the application by the deadline of

October 5, 2012 to:

Chris Cole, Director of Policy, Planning and Intermodal Development

c/o Eileen Blake-Sayers, Office of the Secretary

Vermont Agency of Transportation

One National Life Drive – 5th Floor

Montpelier, VT 05633-5001

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Application Selection Process - Projects are selected by the Vermont Transportation Enhancements

Grant Committee (TEGC). The committee uses an application scoring system and meets annually in

December to collectively review and select the projects to be awarded. All application are received at

VTrans and reviewed by Local Transportation Facilities Section staff. The staff review applications to

confirm eligibility, confirm whether the application qualifies for additional scoring points on various

criteria, and to provide a budget analysis. The staff considers the status of the project’s development

and the feasibility of success. The staff provides an overall evaluation and makes a recommendation to

either fund at the level requested, fund at a reduced level or do not fund. The TEGC has the sole

authority to fund a project. The applications are also reviewed by a representative of the Federal

Highway Administration (FHWA), Vermont office. Final decision on eligibility rests with FHWA.

Agency Contact

For more information contact: Kevin Russell, Coordinator, Vermont Transportation Enhancements

(802) 828-0583, email: kevin.russell@state.vt.us or Susan Scribner, Local Transportation Facilities

Program Manager (802) 828-3588, email: sue.scribner@state.vt.us

Appendices

A Sample Letter of Intent

B Regional Planning Commissions

C District Transportation Administrators

D Vermont Interactive Technologies Sites

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Apendix A - Sample Letter of Intent to Apply

Date:

Chris Cole, Director of Policy, Planning and Intermodal Development

c/o Eileen Blake-Sayers, Office of the Secretary

Vermont Agency of Transportation

One National Life Drive – 5th Floor

Montpelier, VT 05633-5001

Re: Project name:

FY 2013 Transportation Enhancements Program

Dear Mr. Cole,

Please be advised that the project sponsor,

intends to submit an application for funding under the FY 2012 round of the Vermont Transportation

Enhancements (“TE”) program.

The project is related to surface transportation, and qualifies for funding under the following TE

“Eligible Activities”:

# :

# :

Our project is generally located

in the town(s) of .

The following is a general description of the work to be performed or property to be acquired:

The anticipated public benefits of this project are

We have been / will be in close contact with the

Regional Planning Commission [or CCMPO] for resource assistance in refining our project and to ensure

regional compatibility.

Sincerely,

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Apendix B – Regional Planning Commissions

Vermont’s Regional Planning Commissions are importance resources for Vermont Transportation Enhancements applicants. It is important to obtain a letter of support from the Commission that represents your region of the State. Contact the Transportation Planners at the numbers listed below. For more information, go to the Vermont Association of Planning and Development Agencies website at: vdpa.com.

Addison County Regional Planning Commission (802) 388-3141

Bennington County Regional Commission (802) 442-0713

Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission (802) 229-0389

Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (802) 846-4490

Lamoille County Planning Commission (802) 888-4548

Northeastern Vermont Development Association (802) 748-5181

Northwest Regional Planning Commission (802) 524-5958

Rutland Regional Planning Commission (802) 775-0871

Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission (802) 674-9201

Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (802) 457-3188

Windham Regional Commission (802) 257-4547

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Appendix C – District Transportation Administrators

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Appendix D – Vermont Interactive Technologies Locations

All applicants are required to attend one of two scheduled training sessions. You can participate at

anyone of the locations below:

Bennington

Senior Citizen Services Center

124 Pleasant Street

Brattleboro

Brattleboro Union High School

131 Fairground Rd., Room 125

Castleton

Castleton State College

Stafford Academic Center, Room 142

Johnson

Johnson State College

337 College Hill

Bentley Hall, Room 211

Lyndonville

Lyndon State College

1001 College Road

Middlebury

Hannaford Career Center

Second Floor, Room 206

51 Charles Avenue, 2nd floor

Montpelier

Vermont Department of Labor

5 Green Mountain Drive

Newport

North Country Union High School

209 Veterans Ave.

Randolph Center

Vermont Technical College

VIT Studio, Morrill Hall

Rutland

Stafford Technical Center

8 Stratton Rd., Room 108

Springfield

Howard Dean Education Center

307 South Street, 2nd Floor

St. Albans

Bellows Free Academy – St. Albans

4 Hospital Drive

Waterbury

State Office Complex

Stanley Hall

103 South Main Street

White River Jct.

Community College of Vermont

CCV Upper Valley

145 Billings Farm Road

Williston

Blair Park

451 Lawrence Place

More information about VIT sites, including

directions, can be found at:

http://www.vitlink.org