02 What should I submit to FTA if I wish to apply for entry into the Project Development phase of the Capital Investment Grants program?

Project sponsors wishing to enter the Project Development phase as a New Starts, a Small Starts, or a Core Capacity project should submit a letter to the Associate Administrator for FTA’s Office of Planning and Environment that includes the following information:

• The name of the study sponsor, any partners involved in the study, and the roles and responsibilities of each
• Identification of a project manager and other key staff that will perform the Project Development work
• A brief description and clear map of the corridor being studied including its length and key activity centers
• The transportation problem in the corridor or a statement of purpose and need
• Identification of a proposed project if one is known and alternatives to that project if any are being considered
• Identification of a cost estimate for the project, if available
• Identification of whether the project would be a New Starts, Small Starts, or Core Capacity project
• A brief description of current levels of transit service in the corridor today
• Electronic copies of or weblinks to prior studies done in the corridor, if any
• The anticipated cost to complete Project Development, not including the cost of any work done prior to officially entering the Project Development phase
• Identification of the non-CIG capital funding available and committed to conduct the Project Development work
• Documentation demonstrating commitment of funds for the Project Development work (e.g. Board resolutions, adopted budgets, approved Capital Improvement Programs, approved Transportation Improvement Programs, letters of commitment)
• If the project is a New Starts or Core Capacity project, an anticipated draft timeline for completing the following activities (which should demonstrate the ability to complete the Project Development work within 2 years as prescribed in FAST):
  • compliance with NEPA and related environmental laws;
  • selection of a locally preferred alternative;
  • adoption of the locally preferred alternative in the fiscally constrained long range transportation plan;
  • completion of the activities required to obtain a project rating under the evaluation criteria outlined in the law
  • completion of the readiness requirements for entry into Engineering; and
  • anticipated receipt of a construction grant agreement from FTA
  • anticipated start of revenue service
• If the project is a Small Starts project, an anticipated timeline for completing the following activities:
  • compliance with NEPA and related environmental laws;
  • selection of a locally preferred alternative;
  • adoption of the locally preferred alternative in the fiscally constrained long range transportation plan;
  • completion of the activities required to obtain a project rating under the evaluation criteria outlined in the law; and
  • anticipated receipt of a construction grant agreement from FTA
  • anticipated start of revenue service