§ 5309. Fixed guideway capital investment grants

§ 5309. Fixed guideway capital investment grants

(a) Definitions.— In this section, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) Applicant.— The term “applicant” means a State or local governmental authority that applies for a grant under this section.

(2) Core capacity improvement project.— The term “core capacity improvement project” means a substantial corridor-based capital investment in an existing fixed guideway system that increases the capacity of a corridor by not less than 10 percent. The term does not include project elements designed to maintain a state of good repair of the existing fixed guideway system.

(3) Corridor-based bus rapid transit project.— The term “corridor-based bus rapid transit project” means a small start project utilizing buses in which the project represents a substantial investment in a defined corridor as demonstrated by features that emulate the services provided by rail fixed guideway public transportation systems, including defined stations; traffic signal priority for public transportation vehicles; short headway bidirectional services for a substantial part of weekdays; and any other features the Secretary may determine support a long-term corridor investment, but the majority of which does not operate in a separated right-of-way dedicated for public transportation use during peak periods.

(4) Fixed guideway bus rapid transit project.— The term “fixed guideway bus rapid transit project” means a bus capital project—

(A) in which the majority of the project operates in a separated right-of-way dedicated for public transportation use during peak periods;

(B) that represents a substantial investment in a single route in a defined corridor or subarea; and

(C) that includes features that emulate the services provided by rail fixed guideway public transportation systems, including—

(i) defined stations;

(ii) traffic signal priority for public transportation vehicles;

(iii) short headway bidirectional services for a substantial part of weekdays and weekend days; and

(iv) any other features the Secretary may determine are necessary to produce high-quality public transportation services that emulate the services provided by rail fixed guideway public transportation systems.

(5) New fixed guideway capital project.— The term “new fixed guideway capital project” means—

(A) a new fixed guideway project that is a minimum operable segment or extension to an existing fixed guideway system; or

(B) a fixed guideway bus rapid transit project that is a minimum operable segment or an extension to an existing bus rapid transit system.

(6) Small start project.— The term “small start project” means a new fixed guideway capital project or corridor-based bus rapid transit project for which—

(A) the Federal assistance provided or to be provided under this section is less than $150,000,000; and

(B) the total estimated net capital cost is less than $400,000,000.

(b) General Authority.— The Secretary may make grants under this section to State and local governmental authorities to assist in financing—

(1) new fixed guideway capital projects or small start projects, including the acquisition of real property, the initial acquisition of rolling stock for the system, the acquisition of rights-of-way, and relocation, for fixed guideway corridor development for projects in the advanced stages of project development or engineering; and

(2) core capacity improvement projects, including the acquisition of real property, the acquisition of rights-of-way, double tracking, signalization improvements, electrification, expanding system platforms, acquisition of rolling stock associated with corridor improvements increasing capacity, construction of infill stations, and such other capacity improvement projects as the Secretary determines are appropriate to increase the capacity of an existing fixed guideway system corridor by at least 10 percent. Core capacity improvement projects do not include elements to improve general station facilities or parking, or acquisition of rolling stock alone.

(c) Grant Requirements.—

(1) In general.— The Secretary may make a grant under this section for new fixed guideway capital projects, small start projects, or core capacity improvement projects, if the Secretary determines that—

(A) the project is part of an approved transportation plan required under sections 5303 and 5304;

(B) the applicant has, or will have—

(i) the legal, financial, and technical capacity to carry out the project, including the safety and security aspects of the project;

(ii) satisfactory continuing control over the use of the equipment or facilities; and

(iii) the technical and financial capacity to maintain new and existing equipment and facilities; and

(C) the applicant has made progress toward meeting the performance targets in section 5326(c)(2).

(2) Certification.— An applicant that has submitted the certifications required under subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (H) of section 5307(c)(1) shall be deemed to have provided sufficient information upon which the Secretary may make the determinations required under this subsection.

(3) Technical capacity.— The Secretary shall use an expedited technical capacity review process for applicants that have recently and successfully completed at least 1 new fixed guideway capital project, or core capacity improvement project, if—

(A) the applicant achieved budget, cost, and ridership outcomes for the project that are consistent with or better than projections; and

(B) the applicant demonstrates that the applicant continues to have the staff expertise and other resources necessary to implement a new project.

(4) Recipient requirements.— A recipient of a grant awarded under this section shall be subject to all terms, conditions, requirements, and provisions that the Secretary determines to be necessary or appropriate for purposes of this section.

(d) New Fixed Guideway Grants.—

(1) Project development phase.—

(A) Entrance into project development phase.— A new fixed guideway capital project shall enter into the project development phase when—

(i) the applicant—

(I) submits a letter to the Secretary describing the project and requesting entry into the project development phase; and

(II) initiates activities required to be carried out under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) with respect to the project; and

(ii) the Secretary—

(I) responds in writing to the applicant within 45 days whether the information provided is sufficient to enter into the project development phase, including, when necessary, a detailed description of any information deemed insufficient; and

(II) provides concurrent notice to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives of whether the new fixed guideway capital project is entering the project development phase.

(B) Activities during project development phase.— Concurrent with the analysis required to be made under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), each applicant shall develop sufficient information to enable the Secretary to make findings of project justification and local financial commitment under this subsection.

(C) Completion of project development activities required.—

(i) In general.— Not later than 2 years after the date on which a project enters into the project development phase, the applicant shall complete the activities required to obtain a project rating under subsection (g)(2) and submit completed documentation to the Secretary.

(ii) Extension of time.— Upon the request of an applicant, the Secretary may extend the time period under clause (i), if the applicant submits to the Secretary—

(I) a reasonable plan for completing the activities required under this paragraph; and

(II) an estimated time period within which the applicant will complete such activities.

(2) Engineering phase.—

(A) In general.— A new fixed guideway capital project may advance to the engineering phase upon completion of activities required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), as demonstrated by a record of decision with respect to the project, a finding that the project has no significant impact, or a determination that the project is categorically excluded, only if the Secretary determines that the project—

(i) is selected as the locally preferred alternative at the completion of the process required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.);

(ii) is adopted into the metropolitan transportation plan required under section 5303;

(iii) is justified based on a comprehensive review of the project’s mobility improvements, the project’s environmental benefits, congestion relief associated with the project, economic development effects associated with the project, policies and land use patterns of the project that support public transportation, and the project’s cost-effectiveness as measured by cost per rider; and

(iv) is supported by an acceptable degree of local financial commitment (including evidence of stable and dependable financing sources), as required under subsection (f).

(B) Determination that project is justified.— In making a determination under subparagraph (A)(iii), the Secretary shall evaluate, analyze, and consider—

(i) the reliability of the forecasting methods used to estimate costs and utilization made by the recipient and the contractors to the recipient; and

(ii) population density and current public transportation ridership in the transportation corridor.

(e) Core Capacity Improvement Projects.—

(1) Project development phase.—

(A) Entrance into project development phase.— A core capacity improvement project shall be deemed to have entered into the project development phase if—

(i) the applicant—

(I) submits a letter to the Secretary describing the project and requesting entry into the project development phase; and

(II) initiates activities required to be carried out under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) with respect to the project; and

(ii) the Secretary—

(I) responds in writing to the applicant within 45 days whether the information provided is sufficient to enter into the project development phase, including when necessary a detailed description of any information deemed insufficient; and

(II) provides concurrent notice to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives of whether the core capacity improvement project is entering the project development phase.

(B) Activities during project development phase.— Concurrent with the analysis required to be made under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), each applicant shall develop sufficient information to enable the Secretary to make findings of project justification and local financial commitment under this subsection.

(C) Completion of project development activities required.—

(i) In general.— Not later than 2 years after the date on which a project enters into the project development phase, the applicant shall complete the activities required to obtain a project rating under subsection (g)(2) and submit completed documentation to the Secretary.

(ii) Extension of time.— Upon the request of an applicant, the Secretary may extend the time period under clause (i), if the applicant submits to the Secretary—

(I) a reasonable plan for completing the activities required under this paragraph; and

(II) an estimated time period within which the applicant will complete such activities.

(2) Engineering phase.—

(A) In general.— A core capacity improvement project may advance into the engineering phase upon completion of activities required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), as demonstrated by a record of decision with respect to the project, a finding that the project has no significant impact, or a determination that the project is categorically excluded, only if the Secretary determines that the project—

(i) is selected as the locally preferred alternative at the completion of the process required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969;

(ii) is adopted into the metropolitan transportation plan required under section 5303;

(iii) is in a corridor that is—

(I) at or over capacity; or

(II) projected to be at or over capacity within the next 10 years, without regard to any temporary measures employed by the applicant expected to increase short-term capacity within the next 10 years;

(iv) is justified based on a comprehensive review of the project’s mobility improvements, the project’s environmental benefits, congestion relief associated with the project, economic development effects associated with the project, the capacity needs of the corridor, and the project’s cost-effectiveness as measured by cost per rider; and

(v) is supported by an acceptable degree of local financial commitment (including evidence of stable and dependable financing sources), as required under subsection (f).

(B) Determination that project is justified.— In making a determination under subparagraph (A)(iv), the Secretary shall evaluate, analyze, and consider—

(i) the reliability of the forecasting methods used to estimate costs and utilization made by the recipient and the contractors to the recipient;

(ii) whether the project will increase capacity at least 10 percent in a corridor;

(iii) whether the project will improve interconnectivity among existing systems; and

(iv) whether the project will improve environmental outcomes.

(f) Financing Sources.—

(1) Requirements.— In determining whether a project is supported by an acceptable degree of local financial commitment and shows evidence of stable and dependable financing sources for purposes of subsection (d)(2)(A)(v) or (e)(2)(A)(v), the Secretary shall require that—

(A) the proposed project plan provides for the availability of contingency amounts that the Secretary determines to be reasonable to cover unanticipated cost increases or funding shortfalls;

(B) each proposed local source of capital and operating financing is stable, reliable, and available within the proposed project timetable; and

(C) local resources are available to recapitalize, maintain, and operate the overall existing and proposed public transportation system, including essential feeder bus and other services necessary to achieve the projected ridership levels without requiring a reduction in existing public transportation services or level of service to operate the project.

(2) Considerations.— In assessing the stability, reliability, and availability of proposed sources of local financing for purposes of subsection (d)(2)(A)(v) or (e)(2)(A)(v), the Secretary shall consider—

(A) the reliability of the forecasting methods used to estimate costs and revenues made by the recipient and the contractors to the recipient;

(B) existing grant commitments;

(C) the degree to which financing sources are dedicated to the proposed purposes;

(D) any debt obligation that exists, or is proposed by the recipient, for the proposed project or other public transportation purpose;

(E) the extent to which the project has a local financial commitment that exceeds the required non-Government share of the cost of the project; and

(F) private contributions to the project, including cost-effective project delivery, management or transfer of project risks, expedited project schedule, financial partnering, and other public-private partnership strategies.

(g) Project Advancement and Ratings.—

(1) Project advancement.— A new fixed guideway capital project or core capacity improvement project proposed to be carried out using a grant under this section may not advance from the project development phase to the engineering phase, or from the engineering phase to the construction phase, unless the Secretary determines that—

(A) the project meets the applicable requirements under this section; and

(B) there is a reasonable likelihood that the project will continue to meet the requirements under this section.

(2) Ratings.—

(A) Overall rating.— In making a determination under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall evaluate and rate a project as a whole on a 5-point scale (high, medium-high, medium, medium-low, or low) based on—

(i) in the case of a new fixed guideway capital project, the project justification criteria under subsection (d)(2)(A)(iii), and the degree of local financial commitment; and

(ii) in the case of a core capacity improvement project, the capacity needs of the corridor, the project justification criteria under subsection (e)(2)(A)(iv), and the degree of local financial commitment.

(B) Individual ratings for each criterion.— In rating a project under this paragraph, the Secretary shall—

(i) provide, in addition to the overall project rating under subparagraph (A), individual ratings for each of the criteria established under subsection (d)(2)(A)(iii) or (e)(2)(A)(iv), as applicable; and

(ii) give comparable, but not necessarily equal, numerical weight to each of the criteria established under subsections (d)(2)(A)(iii) or (e)(2)(A)(iv), as applicable, in calculating the overall project rating under clause (i).

(C) Medium rating not required.— The Secretary shall not require that any single project justification criterion meet or exceed a “medium” rating in order to advance the project from one phase to another.

(3) Warrants.— The Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, develop and use special warrants for making a project justification determination under subsection (d)(2) or (e)(2), as applicable, for a project proposed to be funded using a grant under this section, if—

(A) the share of the cost of the project to be provided under this section does not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the project;

(B) the applicant requests the use of the warrants;

(C) the applicant certifies that its existing public transportation system is in a state of good repair; and

(D) the applicant meets any other requirements that the Secretary considers appropriate to carry out this subsection.

(4) Letters of intent and early systems work agreements.— In order to expedite a project under this subsection, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, issue letters of intent and enter into early systems work agreements upon issuance of a record of decision for projects that receive an overall project rating of medium or better.

(5) Policy guidance.— The Secretary shall issue policy guidance regarding the review and evaluation process and criteria—