Highways for LIFE

 

The purpose of the Highways for LIFE program is to accelerate the rate of adoption of innovations and technologies, thereby, improving safety and highway quality while reducing congestion caused by construction.

Deleted 12/11/2006 (Program already exits within 20.200 and 20.205) 20.222 FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Project Grants (Discretionary). New program, data not yet available . Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) Sections 1101 and 1502, Public Law 109-59. Only State Transportation Agencies may apply for Highways for LIFE funds. General Public. None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. Coordinate and obtain the FHWA Division Office concurrence of a candidate project meeting the eligibility requirements of the Highways for LIFE program. Applications shall be submitted through Grants.gov in accordance with FHWA Memorandum. The amount of the award to a qualifying applicant will be based on a panel review of all applications, recommendation of the panel, and funding availability. The applicants will be notified of the amount funded. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov in accordance with the FHWA Memorandum . 90 days. Applicants will be notified in writing by the Division Administrator if the application is not approved. There is no appeal process. None. Eligible applicants must submit a new application for each eligible project. Several criteria are used to evaluate the submitted applications for selection of the Highways for LIFE project. Each project proposal must address the performance goals for safety, construction congestion, quality, and user satisfaction. Priority will be given to projects that addresses the following selection criteria Achieves the Highways for LIFE performance standards for quality, safety and speed of construction. Deliver and deploy innovative technologies, manufacturing processes, financing, contracting practices, and performance measures that will demonstrate substantial improvements in safety, quality, and cost effectiveness. Include innovation that will lead to change in the administration of the STA's program to move quickly construct long-lasting, high-quality, cost effective projects that improve safety and reduce congestion. Are or will be ready for construction within 1 year of approval of the project proposal. For the purposes of the Highways for LIFE program, the FHWA considers a project to be ready for construction when the FHWA Division Office concurs in awarding the project. The STA demonstrates a willingness to participate in subsequent technology transfer and information dissemination activities associated with the project(s). Because project diversity is among the factors that will be considered in the project selection process, nomination of projects that essentially duplicate a project (i.e., use the same innovations on a similar scale) already undertaken by the STA as a Highways for LIFE Project is discouraged. For example, if in a previously funded Highways for LIFE Project, a STA used prefabricated and assembled units to construct a bridge, that STA is encouraged not to submit a similar project for funding, unless the new project differs substantially from the first one in some way. Assistance is provided to State Transportation Agency as an incentive to use and/or evaluate new proven innovative technologies and practices in the construction of highways. The proposed project must construct, reconstruct, or rehabilitate a route or connection on a Federal-Aid highway eligible for assistance under Chapter 1of Title 23, United States Code and the project must use innovative technologies, manufacturing processes, or contracting methods that improve safety, reduce congestion due to construction, and improve quality. During construction, the Highways for LIFE Team will be requesting the FHWA Division Office's and STA's assistance with collection of project data, open houses, collection of photos, and other various information dissemination activities as deemed appropriate. After construction, the FHWA Division Offices and STAs will be asked to assist with follow up activities such as identifying lessons learned on the use of the technologies/innovations, the widespread use or adoption of the technologies/innovations within their state, sharing success stories of technologies/innovations, and other appropriate activities. A project evaluation report will be filed with the FHWA Division Office and the Highways for LIFE Program at the completion of the project. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular A-133, nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in any one year shall have a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-federal entities that spend less than $500,000 are exempt from Federal audit requirements except as noted in the OMB circular. Records for all projects covered under title 23 must be kept fro three years after closing. Option 1: The State may request HfL funding of up to 20% of the total cost of a construction project as outlined in SAFETEA-LU. The maximum HfL funding available for any one project is $5M. The HfL funds may be applied to the non-Federal share of the cost of construction. Based on funding limitations it is unlikely any project will be given the maximum amount. It is anticipated that individual project funding levels will be in the range of $500,000 to $1,000,000 per project. This HfL funding would be in addition to the State apportionment. Option 2: For projects carried out using funds apportioned to the State under section 104(b)(1)-(4) of title 23, United States Code, (i.e. NHS, CMAQ, STP, and IM funds), the State may request the Federal share be adjusted up to 100%. The funding category proposed in the nomination must meet the program funding eligibility requirements. However, not more than 10% of total of any one particular apportioned Federal Aid fund can be applied to the HfL project. Option 3: The State may request a combination of both Option 1 and Option 2. Funds are available for the duration of the project. FHWA Division Office in each State at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/fieldoff.htm. Federal Highway Administration, Highways for LIFE, Room 4136 HIHL, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington DC 20509. Telephone: 202-366-3039 (Mary Huie) or 202-366-1325 (Byron Lord). http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hfl 69-8083-0-7-401. FY 05 $9,000,000; FY 06 $12,000,000; and FY 07 est $12,000,000. It is estimated that 15 projects will be selected each FY. New program, data not yet available. Sections 1101 and 1502 of SAFETEA-LU, Public Law 109-59; http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hfl. New program, data not yet available.