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Applications sought for federal-aid funding of air
quality, transportation enhancement projects

Applications for $7-9 million in federal highway funds to improve air quality and enhance the transportation system are available to government agencies through the transportation department.

The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement and Transportation Enhancement (TE) programs are statewide, competitive programs that distribute federal highway funds.

Projects qualifying for CMAQ funds must provide significant air quality benefits and be directed toward solving transportation-related air quality problems. Examples include the purchase of buses and ride-share vans, dust abatement and traffic signal coordination. The program receives $2-4 million in federal funds annually and requires that 7.34 percent of the cost of a project be supplied by the sponsoring agency.

The TE program funds projects that create more livable Idaho communities. Examples include bicycle and pedestrian facilities, roadway landscaping and beautification, and preservation of historic transportation facilities.

Approximately $5 million is available in this program. Sponsoring agencies are required to fund between 2 and 10 percent of the project.

Applications for the CMAQ program are due Dec. 2. Transportation Enhancement applications are due Jan. 30, 2006.

Application packets with detailed information on both programs can be downloaded from: www.itd.idaho.gov/planning/reports/enhancement/ EnhancementProgram.html and www.itd.idaho.gov/planning/reports/cmaq/cmaq.html .

To request applications by mail, call (208) 334-8201. The department is accepting applications for fiscal year 2009 for the TE and CMAQ programs.

Information meetings on how to apply for funds have been scheduled at each Idaho Transportation Department district office or other location as noted below. A funding workshop for local highway jurisdictions will be held in Coeur d’Alene, Lewiston, Boise, Shoshone, Chubbuck and Idaho Falls on the following schedule:

District 3 – 1- 4:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 24, in the Large Conference Room, ITD District Office, 8150 Chinden Blvd., Boise; phone 334-8955

District 5 – 1-5 p.m, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2005, Ramada Inn, 133 W. Burnside, Chubbuck; phone 208-239-3369

District 6 – 8:30 a.m. -noon, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2005, Room 541 Eastern Idaho Technical College, 1600 S. 25th East, Idaho Falls; phone 745-7781

District 4 – 8:30 a.m.-noon, Friday, Oct. 28, EOC Room, ITD, 216 Date St., Shoshone; phone 886-7832

District 1 – 8:30 a.m.-noon, Thursday, Nov. 3, EOC Room, ITD, 600 W. Prairie, Coeur d’Alene; phone 772-1274

District 2 – 8:30 a.m.-noon, Friday, Nov. 4, Large Conference Room, ITD District Office, 2600 Frontage Road, Lewiston; phone 799-4223.