Federal Transit Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This final rule establishes procedures governing the implementation of the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program as authorized by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), as the Federal Lead Agency, and the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD), as the Local Project Sponsor, intend to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the West Lake Corridor Project (Project) in Lake County, Indiana and Cook County, Illinois. The Project is an approximately 9-mile proposed southern branch extension of NICTD's existing South Shore Line (SSL) between Dyer and Hammond, Indiana. Additionally, the Project would operate on about 15 miles of existing SSL and Metra Electric District's (MED) line to the Millennium Station in downtown Chicago. Alternatives to be considered include a No Build, Commuter Rail, and several design options for the latter in terms of route alignment, station locations, maintenance facility sites, and vehicle mode. More information can be found on the Project's Web site at: https://www.nictdwestlake.com. The EIS will be prepared in accordance with regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as well as provisions of Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP- 21). The purpose of this notice is to alert interested parties regarding FTA's plan to prepare the EIS; provide information on the nature of the proposed Project; solicit public and agency input regarding the scope of the EIS including the project's purpose and need, alternatives to be considered, and the impacts to be evaluated; and announce that public and agency scoping meetings will be conducted. This input will be used to assist decision makers in determining a locally preferred alternative (LPA) and preparing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). If the No Build alternative is eliminated, an LPA will be selected and the project sponsors will request permission from FTA to enter into Project Development per requirements of 49 U.S.C. 5309. The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Record of Decision (ROD) would be issued after the project has entered Project Development. FTA intends to issue a single FEIS and ROD document pursuant to MAP-21 Section 1319 requirements, unless FTA determines statutory criteria or practicability considerations preclude issuance of the combined document pursuant to Section 1319. Dates, Times and Locations: A public scoping meeting to present information and accept comments on the study will be held on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, IN 46321. Comparably, an interagency scoping meeting for federal, state, regional and local resource and regulatory agencies will be held on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, IN 46321. Appropriate agencies that may have an interest in this project, or have a potential interest in becoming a participating agency, will be notified of the meeting through separate direct correspondence. The building used for the meetings is accessible to persons with disabilities. Any person who requires special assistance, such as a language interpreter, should contact the NICTD West Lake Corridor Project at 219-250-2920 at least 48 hours before the meeting. Comment Due Date: Written comments on the purpose and need for the proposed improvements, and the scope of alternatives and impacts to be considered should be sent to NICTD West Lake Corridor Project via any of the methods outlined in the Addresses section below, on or before Tuesday, November 11, 2014.

This final rule amends the application requirements for the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program (Program). This rulemaking is prompted by enactment of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), which converted the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Pilot Program into a permanent program, allowed any State to apply for the Program, created a renewal process for Program participation, and expanded the scope of the Secretary's responsibilities that may be assigned and assumed under the Program to environmental review responsibilities for railroad, public transportation, and multimodal projects, in addition to highway projects.

This action withdraws an FTA notice of funding availability (NOFA), Innovative Public Transportation Workforce Development Program Ladders of Opportunity Initiative, published in the Federal Register on September 5, 2014 (79 FR 53095). FTA will issue a revised NOFA for this program.

This NPRM provides interested parties with the opportunity to comment on proposed revisions to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) statewide and nonmetropolitan and metropolitan transportation planning regulations related to the use of and reliance on planning products developed during the transportation planning process for project development and the environmental review process. The revisions are prompted by the enactment of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). Specifically, through this rulemaking FHWA and FTA would interpret and implement MAP-21's additional authority for FHWA and FTA to use planning products developed by States, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO), and other agencies during the transportation planning process in the environmental review process for a project.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of $19.98 million of Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 and FY 2014 funds under the Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning as authorized under Section 20005(b) of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), Public Law 112-141, July 6, 2012. The program augments FTA's Fixed Guideway Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program by supporting comprehensive planning associated with new fixed guideway and core capacity improvement projects that will help the projects develop information to address the CIG Program's evaluation criteria and thus be more competitive for that program's funding. This notice solicits proposals to compete for FY 2013 and FY 2014 funding under the Pilot Program for TOD Planning and may include additional funds made available under future appropriations. It outlines the process to apply for funding, identifies FTA's priorities for these discretionary funds, and establishes the criteria FTA will use to identify meritorious projects for funding. This announcement is available on the FTA Web site at: https://www.fta.dot.gov. FTA may announce final selections on the Web site and in the Federal Register. Additionally, a synopsis of this funding opportunity will be posted in the FIND module of the government-wide electronic grants (GRANTS.GOV) Web site at https:// www.grants.gov.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued and placed in the docket and on its Web site final Agency guidance, in the form of a circular, on joint development. This circular provides guidance to recipients of FTA financial assistance on how to use FTA funds or FTA- funded real property, for joint development. This circular: (1) Defines the term ``joint development''; (2) explains how a joint development project can qualify for FTA assistance; (3) describes the legal requirements applicable to the acquisition, use, and disposition of real property acquired with FTA assistance; (4) outlines the most common crosscutting requirements applicable to FTA-assisted joint developments; and (5) describes FTA's process for reviewing a joint development project proposal. This circular incorporates provisions of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), Public Law 112-141 (2012), advances the goals of 49 U.S.C. 5315 by informing FTA recipients of opportunities for private sector participation in public transportation projects, and includes the most current guidance for the Federal public transportation program. This final circular is the result of the notice issued by FTA that appeared in the Federal Register on March 6, 2013, entitled ``Joint Development: Proposed Circular''.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the revision of the currently approved information collection: 49 U.S.C. 5335(a) and (b) National Transit Database (NTD). The guidance changes in this notice primarily relate to urbanized area transit providers.

Today the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is issuing Safety Advisory 14-3 advising rail transit agencies that operate reconditioned vintage/heritage trolley vehicles manufactured prior to January 1, 1956, of an operating concern regarding B and K high voltage operating controllers. This safety advisory recommends specific and immediate action for rail transit agencies not overseen by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and provides supporting technical resources. The FTA's Safety Advisory 14-3, ``Vintage/Heritage Trolley Vehicle B and K Operating Controllers,'' is available in its entirety on the agency's public Web site (https://www.fta.dot.gov/tso_15922.html).

In response to the Golden Gate Bridge Highway & Transportation District's (Bridge District) request for a Buy America waiver for waterjets, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) hereby waives its Buy America requirements for waterjets to be installed in the Bridge District's M.V. Mendocino ferry vessel. This waiver is limited to a single procurement for the waterjets to be installed in the M.V. Mendocino ferry vessel, which is part of an FTA-funded project.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) received a request for a waiver to permit the purchase of new waterjets that are non- compliant with Buy America requirements using FTA funding. The request is from the Golden Gate Bridge Highway & Transportation District (Golden Gate Bridge) for its M.V. Mendocini ferry vessel. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(3)(A), FTA is providing notice of the waiver request and seeks public comment before deciding whether to grant the request. If granted, the waiver only would apply to a one-time FTA- funded procurement by Golden Gate Bridge.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), in cooperation with the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Cap Metro) and the City of Austin, is issuing this notice to advise the public that the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Urban Rail project in Austin, Texas is being rescinded.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), in cooperation with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), is issuing this notice to advise the public that the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed public transportation improvement project in Broward County, Florida is being rescinded.

Today the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is issuing Safety Advisory 14-2 to provide guidance to rail fixed guideway public transportation agencies of the need to assess the adequacy of safe stopping distances for rail transit trains in terminal stations. This safety advisory recommends specific and immediate action for rail transit agencies not overseen by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and provides supporting technical resources. FTA is issuing this guidance in response to preliminary investigative findings from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the collision and derailment that occurred at the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) on March 24, 2014. Further, FTA is directing each State Safety Oversight (SSO) agency designated to implement FTA's SSO program specified at 49 CFR part 659 and 49 U.S.C. 5329(e) to coordinate with every rail transit agency within its jurisdiction to review and approve, as necessary, corrective action plans to be implemented to address Safety Advisory 14-2, ``Verification of Rail Vehicle Safe Stopping Distances in Terminal Stations'' by August 12, 2014. Additionally, FTA directs SSO agencies to provide a summary of actions taken by each rail transit agency in the next Annual SSO Program Report. FTA's Safety Advisory 14-2, ``Verification of Rail Vehicle Safe Stopping Distances in Terminal Stations,'' is available in its entirety on the agency's public Web site (https://www.fta.dot.gov/tso_ 15922.html).

As part of a Federal Government-wide effort to streamline the process to seek feedback from the public on service delivery, the Federal Transit Administration invites public comment about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval to renew the following information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et. seq.):

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has placed in the docket and on its Web site, guidance in the form of a circular to assist grantees in implementing the Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program. The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act blended the New Freedom Program and the Elderly Individuals and Individuals with Disabilities Program into a new Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program. FTA is updating the circular due to these changes in the law.

The FTA and FHWA are jointly issuing this guidance on implementation of provisions of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), that require representation by providers of public transportation in each metropolitan planning organization (MPO) that serves a transportation management area (TMA) no later than October 1, 2014. The purpose of this guidance is to assist MPOs and providers of public transportation in complying with this new requirement.

This notice announces final environmental actions taken by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for projects in the following locations: Boise, ID and Houston, TX. The purpose of this notice is to announce publicly the environmental decisions by FTA on the subject projects and to activate the limitation on any claims that may challenge these final environmental actions.

This document seeks public comment on FTA's proposed requirements for the interim safety certification training provisions for Federal and State safety oversight personnel and their contractor support who conduct safety audits and examinations of public transportation systems not otherwise regulated by another Federal agency. Additionally, FTA proposes that designated safety oversight personnel of public transportation systems that receive Federal transit funding may voluntarily participate in the interim safety certification training program.

The US. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the selection of projects with Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 appropriations for the Tribal Transit Program (TTP). On May 9, 2013 FTA published a Federal Register Notice (78 FR 27284) announcing the availability of the funding for the program. The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) authorizes approximately $5 million for federally recognized Indian Tribes or Alaska Native villages, groups, or communities as identified by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in the U.S. Department of the Interior for public transportation. Combined with available funding from prior years, FTA is allocating a total of approximately $5.05 million to selected projects in this notice. The TTP supports capital projects, operating costs and planning activities that are eligible under the Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program (Section 5311). FTA funds may only be used for eligible purposes defined under 49 U.S.C 5311 and described in the proposed FTA Circular 9040.1G, and consistent with the specific eligibility and priorities established in the May 2013 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) .

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to renew the following information collection:

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) are issuing joint guidance on the implementation of the financial penalty provisions contained in Section 1306 of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). The financial penalty provisions require Federal agencies of jurisdiction (Reviewing Agency) to render a decision on a permit, license, or other approval related to a transportation project within 180 days from the later of the date FHWA or FTA issue a Record of Decision or Finding of No Significant Impacts for a project, or the date on which an application for a permit, license, or approval for the project is complete. If the Reviewing Agency does not render a decision by the 180-day deadline, it is subject to a rescission of funds of $10,000 or $20,000 per week until the Reviewing Agency renders a decision. The FHWA and FTA have the authority to grant ``no-fault'' certifications if the Reviewing Agency's failure to decide was due to circumstances beyond its control. You may review the guidance by visiting FHWA's Web site at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21, or FTA's Web site at https://www/fta.dot.gov/map21.

In response to the MTA Capital Construction Company's (MTACC) request for a Buy America waiver for the pad and rubber boot of a concrete block for the Low Vibration Track (LVT) system that it is constructing on behalf of New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) operating agency, New York City Transit (NYCT), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) hereby waives its Buy America requirements on the basis of non-availability for the pad and rubber bootcomponents of the concrete blocks used in MTA's LVT system. This waiver is limited to Phase 1 of the Second Avenue Subway Project and is valid only for the pads and rubber boots already procured for this project.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is apportioning fiscal years (FY) 2013 and 2014 funds for the new State Safety Oversight (SSO) Formula Grant Program in accordance with the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). This notice apportions the available funding for FYs 2013 and 2014 and provides instructions and guidance for this new formula grant program, for which funding is available to eligible States to develop or carry out SSO Programs (SSOPs) that monitor and improve the safety of rail fixed guideway public transportation systems (RFGPTS or rail transit systems) in their jurisdictions that are not regulated by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). This notice also establishes the formula for this new grant program and responds to the comments received pursuant to the May 13, 2013 Federal Register notice (78 FR 28014) on the illustrative apportionment for SSO grant funding.