Dover/Kent County MPO

MPO launches comment period on TIP amendments

05 07 14 CTP FY 14 Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Dover Kent County

05 07 14 CTP FY 14 On the Job Training Supportive Services Dover Kent County

05 30 14 CTP FY 14 Section 154 Penalty Transfer (Sanction) Program Dover Kent County

The Dover/Kent County Metropolitan Planning Organization is looking for public input on proposed changes to its Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for fiscal years 2014-2017.

Changes to the TIP warrant a minimum 30-day public review and comment period, which will run from June 8 to July 8.

There are three proposed amendments up for review for this TIP. One has to do with disadvantaged business enterprise, another with on-the-job training and support services, and the third refers to the penalty transfer, or sanction, program.

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise amendment refers to a program, which ensures that minority and female owned small businesses have the opportunity to participate in Delaware Department of Transportation projects. The Federal Highway Administration monitors DelDOT’s compliance with federal regulations regarding making opportunities (including training) available to small

businesses. As a recipient of federal funds, DelDOT is required to comply with FHWA’s regulations regarding DBE businesses. The program represents $684,660 in the FY 2014-2017 TIP.

The second proposed amendment would establish a DelDOT on-the-job training supportive service program, which federal law requires. This program would provide training to improve the employment and upward mobility of minorities and females in the transportation industry. This program represents $321,511 in the FY 2014-2017 TIP.

In a penalty transfer, or sanction, program, which is the third proposed TIP amendment, money is used to implement safety improvements that are consistent with the goals and objectives of the Delaware Strategic Highway Safety Plan. Projects include, but are not limited to traffic control device installations and upgrades, installation of median cable barrier, installation and upgrade of guardrail, high friction surface treatments, rumble strip installation and recessed pavement marker installation. In addition, funds are eligible to cover labor costs related to temporary traffic control for DUI checkpoints and for equipment purchases related to the improvement of safety data capabilities. This program represents a little more than $9 million in the FY 2014-2017 TIP.

What justifies this project are annual federal transportation funds given to the state, and sanctioned by the Federal Highway Administration because Delaware’s open (alcohol) container laws are not compliant with federal requirements. The funds that are sanctioned from Delaware’s overall apportionment are transferred to Delaware’s Highway Safety Improvement Program (65 percent) and to the Office of Highway Safety (35 percent).