The Surface Transportation Program (STP) stands as a cornerstone of U.S. federal initiatives aimed at bolstering and refining the nation’s surface transportation infrastructure. This program provides crucial financial resources to states and local entities, empowering them to undertake a wide array of projects. These projects are designed not only to maintain but also to enhance the condition and operational efficiency of various transportation modes, from highways and bridges to public transit and pedestrian pathways.
| Year | 2013 | 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated Funding | $ 10.0 Billion * | $ 10.1 Billion * |
* Calculated based on the sum of estimated individual State STP apportionments.
Core Purpose of the STP
At its heart, the Surface Transportation Program is engineered to offer flexible funding avenues. These funds are accessible to both State departments of transportation and local governments for projects that demonstrably contribute to:
- Preservation and Improvement of Federal-Aid Highways: Ensuring the longevity and quality of the national highway system.
- Bridge and Tunnel Enhancements: Focusing on the safety and efficiency of bridge and tunnel infrastructure across public roads.
- Public Road Network Development: Supporting projects on any road maintained for public use.
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure Expansion: Promoting active transportation modes through dedicated infrastructure.
- Public Transportation Capital Projects: Investing in transit systems, including intercity bus facilities and terminals, to improve public mobility options.
Legal Foundation
The STP operates under the legislative framework established by:
- MAP-21 Legislation §1108: The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act laid the groundwork for the modern STP.
- United States Code 23 USC 133: This section of the U.S. Code codifies the program’s structure and function within federal law.
Funding Mechanism
The financial backing of the STP is characterized by:
- Contract Authority: Funds are derived from contract authority, a mechanism allowing the government to enter into obligations, sourced from the Highway Account of the Highway Trust Fund.
- Federal-Aid Obligation Limitation: STP funding is subject to the overall federal-aid obligation limitation, ensuring fiscal responsibility and program oversight.
- Lump Sum Authorization: MAP-21 introduced a streamlined approach by authorizing a total lump sum for core formula programs, replacing individual program authorizations. Each state receives a calculated share of this total, which is then allocated across different programs within the state. (For details on fund allocation, refer to resources on “Apportionment”).
Mandatory Set-Asides
From each state’s STP apportionment, specific allocations are mandated for:
- Transportation Alternatives (TA) Program: A portion is reserved for TA programs, which encompass a range of smaller-scale transportation projects aimed at enhancing community connectivity and environmental sustainability. (Refer to “Apportionment” resources for calculation details).
- State Planning and Research (SPR): Two percent of STP funds are set aside for SPR activities, crucial for transportation planning and research initiatives at the state level [§52005; 23 USC 505].
- Off-System Bridges: A minimum of 15% of a state’s FY 2009 Highway Bridge Program apportionment must be allocated for bridges not on federal-aid highways. Notably, these funds cannot be drawn from amounts sub-allocated based on population. The elimination of set-asides for Transportation Enhancements marks a change from previous transportation funding models.
Sub-Allocation Strategy
A significant 50% of a state’s STP apportionment, after accounting for TA and SPR set-asides, is directed to specific areas based on population distribution:
- Large Urbanized Areas (Population > 200,000): Funds are distributed among these areas in proportion to their population. Alternative distribution factors may be approved by the Secretary upon joint request from the state and relevant Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs).
- Medium-Sized Areas (Population 5,000 – 200,000): The state, in consultation with regional planning organizations, identifies projects for funding in these areas.
- Small Communities (Population ≤ 5,000): These areas also receive dedicated STP funding for transportation projects.
The remaining 50% of STP funds provides states with flexibility to address transportation needs in any area across the state, irrespective of population size or density.
Federal Contribution Share
The federal share of STP project costs is generally determined by 23 USC 120. Key aspects include:
- Standard Federal Share: Typically, the federal government covers a significant portion of project expenses.
- Enhanced Share for Safety Projects: A special, higher federal share is available for projects specifically designed to improve safety.
- Innovative Project Delivery Incentives: Projects incorporating Innovative Project Delivery methods may qualify for an increased federal share, encouraging efficiency and innovation in project execution.
- Exceptions: Specific exceptions to 23 USC 120 exist for freight-related projects, workforce development initiatives, training programs, educational activities, and projects within the Appalachian Development Highway System. (Detailed information is available in the “Federal Share” fact sheet).
Scope of Eligible Activities
The STP’s broad scope encompasses a wide range of project types, reflecting its comprehensive approach to surface transportation. Eligible activities include, with notable expansions and modifications:
- Highway Infrastructure Projects: Construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, resurfacing, restoration, preservation, and operational improvements for highways. This extends to designated routes within the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) and local access roads under 40 USC 14501.
- Bridge and Tunnel Projects: Replacement, rehabilitation, preservation, protection, and anti-icing/deicing measures for bridges and tunnels on any public road. This includes construction or reconstruction to accommodate various transportation modes.
- New Bridge and Tunnel Construction: Construction of new bridges and tunnels on Federal-aid highways to expand and modernize infrastructure.
- Bridge and Tunnel Inspection and Evaluation: Regular inspection and evaluation of bridges, tunnels, and other highway assets, alongside specialized training for inspectors to maintain safety standards.
Alt text: Bridge inspectors examining a bridge structure, emphasizing the Surface Transportation Program’s support for infrastructure maintenance and safety through regular inspections.
- Public Transit Capital Investments: Capital costs for transit projects eligible under chapter 53 of title 49, encompassing vehicles and facilities that support intercity passenger bus service and broader public transportation networks.
- Multi-Modal and Active Transportation Enhancements: Support for carpool projects, park-and-ride facilities, programs encouraging bicycle transportation and pedestrian walkways, and ADA-compliant sidewalk modifications, promoting diverse transportation options.
- Safety and Hazard Mitigation: Highway and transit safety infrastructure upgrades, installation of safety barriers and nets on bridges, hazard elimination initiatives, wildlife hazard mitigation, and improvements at railway-highway grade crossings.
- Research and Technology Advancement: Highway and transit research, development, and technology transfer activities to foster innovation in the transportation sector.
- Traffic Management and Control Systems: Capital and operating costs associated with traffic monitoring, management, and control facilities and programs, including advanced truck stop electrification to reduce emissions.
- Surface Transportation Planning: Funding for comprehensive surface transportation planning activities at various levels of government.
- Transportation Alternatives (TA): A broad category encompassing most former transportation enhancement eligibilities, now newly defined to include a wide array of community-focused transportation projects. (Refer to the dedicated “Transportation Alternatives” fact sheet for detailed information).
- Transportation Control Measures: Implementation of strategies to manage and reduce transportation-related emissions and congestion.
- Management System Development: Development and establishment of efficient transportation management systems to optimize infrastructure performance.
- Environmental Stewardship: Environmental mitigation efforts, aligning with the goals of the National Highway Performance Program, to minimize the environmental impact of transportation infrastructure.
- Congestion and High-Risk Area Improvements: Addressing intersections with high accident rates or significant congestion to enhance traffic flow and safety.
- Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS): Infrastructure-based ITS capital improvements to leverage technology for improved transportation management.
- Environmental Restoration and Pollution Abatement: Initiatives focused on environmental restoration and pollution reduction related to transportation activities.
- Vegetation Management and Native Species Promotion: Control of noxious weeds and the establishment of native species along roadways to enhance ecological balance.
- Congestion Pricing and Demand Management: Congestion pricing projects and strategies, including electronic toll collection and travel demand management programs, to optimize traffic flow and reduce peak-hour congestion.
- Recreational Trails: Projects dedicated to the development and maintenance of recreational trails, supporting outdoor activities and community well-being.
Alt text: A picturesque recreational trail winding through a natural landscape, illustrating the Surface Transportation Program’s support for recreational infrastructure and outdoor activities.
- Ferry Services Enhancement: Construction of ferry boats and terminals to improve connectivity in coastal and island communities.
- Border Infrastructure Improvements: Projects aimed at enhancing transportation infrastructure at border crossings to facilitate trade and travel.
- Truck Parking Facilities: Development of truck parking facilities to improve safety and efficiency in freight transportation.
- Asset Management and Performance-Based Planning: Development and implementation of State asset management plans for the National Highway System (NHS), and similar activities for performance-based management programs on other public roads, ensuring strategic infrastructure management.
- Port Terminal Intermodal Connections: Surface transportation infrastructure modifications within port terminal boundaries, specifically when necessary to improve direct intermodal interchange, transfer, and access to and from ports, enhancing freight logistics.
- Minor Collector Route Improvements: Construction and operational improvements for minor collector roads in proximity to NHS routes, if such improvements are more cost-effective and enhance NHS service levels and regional traffic flow, as determined by benefit-cost analysis.
- Bridge Program Continuations: Two categories of eligibilities formerly under the repealed Highway Bridge Program (HBP):
- Replacement of low water crossings, bridges destroyed before 1965, ferries operational in 1984, or bridges made obsolete by Corps of Engineers projects (not rebuilt with COE funds).
- Actions to preserve or mitigate project impacts on the historic integrity of historic bridges under specific conditions [§1111; 23 USC 144(f)-(g)].
- Workforce Development and Training: Workforce development, training, and education activities related to the transportation sector are also eligible for STP funding [§1109; 23 USC 504(e)], investing in the transportation workforce.
Project Location Considerations
Generally, STP projects are not permitted on local or rural minor collector roads. However, significant exceptions exist to ensure funding accessibility for critical projects:
- Rural Minor Collector Exception: States can allocate up to 15% of their rural sub-allocation to minor collectors, providing some flexibility for local road improvements.
- Broad Exceptions: Exceptions also include ADHS local access roads, bridge and tunnel replacement and rehabilitation (but not new construction on minor collectors), bridge and tunnel inspection, carpool projects, parking facilities, bike/pedestrian paths, safety infrastructure, Transportation Alternatives, recreational trails, port terminal modifications, minor collectors in NHS corridors, and the bridge program continuations from HBP.
Program Specifics
Key program features include:
- Off-System Bridge Focus: States must dedicate a portion of their STP funds (not from sub-allocated amounts) to bridges not on federal-aid highways (off-system bridges), ensuring these vital structures are maintained. The minimum requirement is 15% of the state’s FY 2009 Bridge Program apportionment. The Secretary may reduce this requirement if a state demonstrates insufficient off-system bridge needs.
- Off-System Bridge Credit: For states or localities that fully fund off-system bridge replacement or rehabilitation projects post-enactment, costs exceeding 20% of the project can be credited towards the non-federal share of other eligible bridge projects within the state, incentivizing local investment.
- Rural Minor Collector Flexibility: A special rule allows states to use up to 15% of funds sub-allocated for areas with populations of 5,000 or less on rural minor collectors, offering targeted support to smaller communities. This permission can be suspended if excessively used.
- Bridge and Tunnel Inspection Compliance: States not adhering to federal bridge/tunnel inspection standards must use a portion of their STP funds to rectify these deficiencies [§1111; 23 USC 144(h)(5)], ensuring nationwide safety standards.
Performance and Goals
The STP is designed to contribute to overarching national performance goals for transportation. While no specific performance measures are directly linked to the STP program itself, its wide-ranging eligible activities support improvements across safety, infrastructure condition, congestion reduction, and system performance, aligning with broader transportation objectives.
This overview of the Surface Transportation Program provides a comprehensive understanding of its funding mechanisms, eligible projects, and strategic importance in developing and maintaining the United States’ diverse surface transportation network.
