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In 2000, TxDOT initiated its Participation-Waived Project/Equivalent-Match
Project (PWP/EMP) Program to allow a local government to waive its 10 percent cost
participation requirement in a federal Highway Bridge Replacement and
Rehabilitation Program (HBRRP) off-system bridge project if it agrees to use an
equivalent dollar amount to improve other deficient structures in its
jurisdiction.
The usual federal/state/local government cost-participation percentages
required on off-system bridge projects are 80/10/10. However, the August 2000
authorizing legislation allows the 10% local government cost participation to be
waived if the local government agrees to use an equivalent dollar amount to
improve other deficient structures under its jurisdiction. The project on which
the 10% local cost participation is waived is referred to as the
participation-waived project, and the project(s) to be performed by the local
government in return for the waiver is referred to as the equivalent-match
project(s) (EMP). In November 2001 the types of work that qualify for
equivalent-match projects were expanded to include safety related work and low
water crossings. Local governments were also allowed to perform EMP work in
geographically adjacent governmental units.
Eligible structures for address under equivalent-match projects not only
include those meeting the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) bridge
definition that are classified as deficient, but also include main-lane
cross-drainage structures and low-water crossings that do not meet the FHWA
bridge definition but are deficient. The equivalent-match bridge or main-lane
cross-drainage structure must be classified as deficient or be weight-restricted
for school buses.
This program has expanded the number of local governments participating in
TxDOT's off-system bridge program and has provided many other local governments
with the incentive to increase their participation. Through the equivalent-match
projects, many structures that had deficiencies but were not programmed in
TxDOT's off-system bridge program have been scheduled for improvements that will
increase their safety and efficiency. Overall, the program is accelerating the
rate at which structurally deficient and functionally obsolete off-system
bridges are improved throughout the state.
The FY07 Off-System Bridge Participation-Waived Project/Equivalent-Match Project (PWP/EMP)
Annual Report [pdf, 14 pages, 348kb] gives
background on the PWP/EMP program, a summary
of FY07 results and an update on activity
since the program was initiated in FY01.
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