Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ)
DVRPC's Competitive Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) seeks to fund transportation projects that will improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion in the DVRPC Region. CMAQ eligible projects will demonstrably reduce air pollution emissions and help the DVRPC region meet the federal health based air quality standards.
The CMAQ Program is not a grant program. The sponsor does not receive grant funds to start the project; rather, the sponsor is reimbursed for costs incurred after receiving funding authorization for the project and a notice to proceed. Costs incurred prior to project selection and notice to proceed are not reimbursed. All awarded projects must authorize federal CMAQ funds by the deadline stated in their award letters.
FY2020 Competitive CMAQ Program for New Jersey
Estimated Opening: March 2020
What are CMAQ Eligible Projects?
Projects must result in a reduction of emissions related to transportation, congestion reduction, and for the public good (i.e., not benefiting one private entity over another) to meet the requirements of the Clean Art Act (CAA) and its amendments. General eligible project categories include pedestrian and bicycle projects, transit improvement programs, congestion reduction and traffic flow improvements, and funding of transportation demand management programs, among others. Please refer to DVRPC's latest CMAQ Guidance and FHWA web links below for further details.
Ineligible CMAQ Projects
As a general rule, highway or transit maintenance and reconstruction projects, and the construction of single occupancy vehicle (SOV) capacity are not eligible because they do not provide an air quality benefit. Operating costs for bike share programs are not eligible. Please refer to DVRPC's latest CMAQ Guidance and FHWA web links below for further details.
DVRPC retains the prerogative to declare a class of projects not eligible as a matter of policy, if it is determined that such use would not be in the best interest of the region. DVRPC can also deny funding to an otherwise eligible project if it is determined that such funding would provide one private firm an undue competitive advantage over another—a federal regulation that must be observed.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
All public agencies, incorporated private firms, or nonprofit entities, including municipalities, Transportation Management Associations (TMAs), and transportation system operators are eligible. Private firms and nonprofits must partner with a local public agency sponsor and have a formal agreement in place with the public agency at the time of funding award. Private individuals are not eligible to apply. Please refer to DVRPC's latest CMAQ Guidance for details.
2019 Awards for Pennsylvania
| Sponsor | County | Title | Type | Award Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEPTA | Regionwide | Work Train Locomotive Replacement Project | Diesel Engine Replacement | $3,800,000 |
| Falls Twp | Bucks | Falls Twp Adaptive Traffic Signal System | Congestion Reduction and Traffic Flow Improvements | $1,084,720 |
| Phoenixville | Chester | Nutt Road (SR 0023) and Starr Street Operational Improvements | Congestion Reduction and Traffic Flow Improvements | $868,656 |
| PennDOT | Chester | PA 401 and Valley Hill Road Intersection Improvement Project | Congestion Reduction and Traffic Flow Improvements | $2,110,000 |
| Concord Twp | Delaware | Naamans Creek Road and Wilmington-West Chester Pike Dual Left Turn Lanes | Congestion Reduction and Traffic Flow Improvements | $535,100 |
| PennDOT | Delaware | West Chester and Route 476 Improvements | Congestion Reduction and Traffic Flow Improvements | $2,849,000 |
| PennDOT | Delaware | Media Bypass ITS Corridor | Traffic Flow Improvements | $5,000,000 |
| Lower Merion Twp | Montgomery | Conshohocken State Rd (SR 0023) and Spring Mill Rd (SR 3032) | Congestion Reduction and Traffic Flow Improvements | $754,792 |
| Whitpain Twp | Montgomery | Skippack Pike Traffic Signal System | Congestion Reduction and Traffic Flow Improvements | $892,007 |
| Upper Dublin Twp | Montgomery | Dreshertown Rd Cross County Trail Extension | Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities and Programs | $1,892,200 |
| PennDOT | Philadelphia | Roosevelt Blvd Cross Over Lanes | Congestion Reduction and Traffic Flow Improvements | $1,500,000 |
| Philadelphia | Philadelphia | Schuylkill River Park Extension - Christian to Crescent | Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities and Programs | $1,650,000 |
| Philadelphia | Philadelphia | Indego 2.0: Increasing Core Capacity | Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities and Programs | $2,250,000 |
2018 Awards for New Jersey
| Sponsor | County | Title | Type | Award Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gloucester Township | Camden | Gloucester Township Bicycle Trail, Oak Avenue to Evesham Road | Circuit Trail Construction (Construction) | $958,500 |
| Mercer County | Mercer | Intersection Improvements, Hamilton Avenue (CR 606) and Kuser Road (CR 619)/Ward Avenue and Hamilton Avenue and Liberty Street (in Hamilton Twp.) | Congestion Reduction & Traffic Flow Improvements (Construction) | $1,185,000 |
| Lawrence Township | Mercer | Maidenhead Meadows Trail | Circuit Trail Construction (Construction) | $1,214,400 |
| NJDEP | Various | It Pay$ to Plug In: New Jersey's Electric Vehicle Charging Grants Program | Alternative Fuel Vehicle Program Expansion for Private & Public Entities | $200,000 |
| NJDEP | Various | Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Idle Reduction Grant Program | Idling Reduction Grant Program/Pilot Program | $216,000 |
| NJDEP | Various | Electric Vehicle Ride and Drive Events | Public Education & Outreach | $124,440 |
Resources
- FHWA CMAQ Policy and Guidance Website
- Revised Interim Guidance on CMAQ Operating Assistance under MAP-21 (July 2014)
- FHWA CMAQ Guidance Under MAP 21 (2013)
- NJDOT Local Aid Federally Funded Programs Resources
- NJDOT's Project Duration by Phase (Post-Authorization) flowchart [0.1 MB pdf]
- Procedure for Federal Aid Projects (NJDOT Federal-Aid Handbook Excerpt) [0.1 MB pdf]
- Buy America Guidance [0.1 MB pdf]
- Environmental: CED List [0.2 MB pdf]
- Environmental: No Effects on Cultural Resources in NJ List [3.9 MB pdf]
- No Undertaking List, per NJ Register of Historic Places [0.2 MB pdf]
- List of Useful Websites for Environmental Screenings [0.2 MB pdf]
- CMAQ 101 Training
The FHWA posted a 27-minute YouTube video on the CMAQ program. The video provides a basic introduction to the program, how CMAQ funds are distributed to states, and the types of projects eligible for the CMAQ program.
- Glossary of Air Emissions Terms [0.1 MB pdf]
- FHWA Case Studies [0.1 MB pdf]
- EPA Cost Effective Emissions Reduction Programs [0.1 MB pdf]
- Sample of Projects from the Previous DVRPC CMAQ Competitive Program [0.1 MB pdf]
Questions
Questions for the Competitive CMAQ Program in New Jersey should be directed to Kwan Hui at khui@dvrpc.org or (215) 238 - 2894. For Pennsylvania, please contact Rick Murphy at rmurphy@dvrpc.org or (215) 238 – 2946.