Grouped Projects
Projects that are not considered by the department, FHWA and
an MPO to be of appropriate scale for individual identification
in a given program year (e.g., minor rehabilitation, preventive
maintenance, safety, nonurbanized transit projects) may be grouped
by function, geographic area, or work type. Grouping allows for
more efficient programming, and reduces the need for revisions to
the rural TIPs, MPO TIPs and STIP. In nonattainment and maintenance
areas, classification must be consistent with the exempt project
classifications contained in the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) conformity regulations.
Some types of projects may be excluded from an MPO TIP and
the STIP by agreement with FHWA in accordance with requirements
established in 43 TAC §16.101(d). Those projects include:
- Safety projects funded under 23 USC §402 (highway safety programs) and emergency relief projects, except those involving substantial functional, location, and capacity changes;
- Planning and research activities, except those activities funded with National Highway System or Surface Transportation Program funds other than those used for major investment studies; and
- Projects under 23 USC §104(b)(1), (b)(4), and §144 that are for resurfacing, restoration, rehabilitation, reconstruction, or highway safety improvement, and which will not alter the functional traffic capacity or capability of the facility being improved.
Project grouping is encouraged (e.g., Grouped CSJ for PE or
Grouped CSJ for ROW). However, all phases of added capacity projects
in non-attainment areas are to be listed individually in the STIP. Grouping
a project is done by type of work, not its funding type. Funding
for grouped projects is based on a statewide account or need of
those types of projects that are eligible, (e.g., Safety and preventive
maintenance).
In April 2018, FHWA agreed to revise the group project definition
for the Transit Improvement and Programs category to include the
replacement and acquisition of transit vehicles representing a small
expansion of the fleet. The list of grouped project CSJs can be
found in the Introduction section of the current STIP at
.