Dover/Kent County MPO

MPO Technical Advisory Committee to meet Aug. 12

Technical Advisory Committee to discuss TIP Amendments and Air Quality funds CAMDEN — Join the Dover/Kent County Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Technical Advisory Committee when it meets at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 12 in the council chambers of Camden Town Hall. The TAC is scheduled to vote on a few proposed amendments to the FY 2016-2019 Transportation Improvement Program. The amendments include: • Widening of U.S. 13 from Walnut Shade Road to Lochmeath Way. Design funding is proposed for FY 2019. This is a new project phase in the proposed U.S. 13 widening project. • Camden Bypass from South Street to Rising Sun Road. Design funding is proposed for FY 2019, and is a new project in the state’s Capital Transportation Program (CTP). • Walnut Shade Road Improvements (U.S. 13 to Peachtree Run). Design funding is proposed for FY 2019. This also is a new project in the CTP. • Transit vehicle replacement. TAC members also are set to vote on project requests from the Delaware Department of Transportation regarding Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality (CMAQ) funds. The projects include: • Bike & Pedestrian improvements ($2.2 million, statewide) • RideShare Delaware ($360,000, statewide) • Transit Vehicle Expansion ($956,000, for Kent County) • Transportation Management Improvements ($4 million, statewide) TAC members will discuss a draft update to the MPO’s Public Participation Plan and hear a progress report about the MPO’s Project Prioritization Working Group. This meeting is open to the public, which is encouraged to attend. Camden Town Hall is located at 1783 Friends Way in Camden, off of Voshell Mill Road and near U.S. 13. For more information, call the MPO at (302) 387-6030 or (302) 387-6026.

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).