- FRA briefed Senate Appropriations staff and House Appropriations and T&I staff on ARRA status and High-Speed Rail strategic plan.
- On April 23, DOT provided the first disbursement under ARRA to Amtrak in the amount of $23 million.
- On April 20th, FRA participated in a conference call with members of the AASHTO Standing Committee on Rail Transportation to discuss the Strategic Plan for the high-speed and intercity passenger rail grant programs and solicit input as part of the development of program guidance.
- FRA is planning a series of regional outreach meetings to solicit stakeholder and public input into the development of guidance for the high-speed and intercity passenger rail grant programs.
- As of April 24th, FAA has identified $1,049 million of specific Recovery Act projects (98 percent of the total funding). Of that amount, $1,036 million worth of projects have been forwarded for Congressional notification, and $1003 million have completed the notification process. $10.4 million have been obligated. (After the three-day Congressional notification period, the Department can announce tentative funding of the projects, at which point airport sponsors will be able to solicit bids for construction. Sponsors will then submit their grant applications to FAA based on the bids received.)
- FAA awarded three new ARRA airport grants: $374,593 to Alabama Department of Transportation to rehabilitate runway lighting at Gadsden Municipal Airport, $568,000 to Baton Rouge, LA to acquire an Aircraft Rescue & Fire Fighting Vehicle and $2,518,000 to Baton Rouge, LA to modify the Aircraft Rescue & Fire Fighting Building.
- Recovery Act provided a two-year exemption (until December 31, 2010) to the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) for general airport revenue bonds (GARB). The Recovery Act also allowed for current GARB refundings back five years to January 1, 2004. The AMT exemption for GARBs and allowing for the exemption to the refinance debt issued at the onset of the credit crisis has assisted with the economic recovery and improved the financial integrity of the airport industry by making airport revenue bonds more attractive to investors, and reducing interest rates. As a result of the ARRA AMT exemption, several airports have now issued GARBs to finance critical airport infrastructure. Airports have saved millions of dollars in financing costs that can now be redirected toward development costs.
- FAA planning to issue procurement requests for fuel storage tank projects, battery replacement projects and other maintenance projects. Contract awards are anticipated in June 2009.
- As of April 24, FHWA has authorized 2,392 projects in 50 states and territories totaling $7.65 billion in obligations. This accounts for 29% of total funds available.
- FHWA held its Spring Business Meeting in Arlington, VA where ARRA implementation and oversight issues, including risk management, were discussed with FHWA leadership.
- Federal Lands made the following allocations: $150 million to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for subsequent distribution to tribes (April 22); $17 million to the National Park Service for pavement preservation projects (April 24); and $24 million to Federal Lands Highway Division field offices for repairing National Park Service roads and bridges (April 22).
- FHWA issued additional guidance from DOT on Section 1201 Maintenance of Effort certifications to FHWA Divisions. On April 22nd all Governors from the 56 states, territories, and the District of Columbia received letters from the Secretary regarding their certifications.
- As of April 20th deadline for its $100 million Small Shipyard grant Program, MARAD has received 451 applications for a total of $1.25 billion in requests.
- MARAD Staff is fielding an average of 30 inquiries per day from stakeholders regarding the Small Shipyard Grants program and proposed projects.
- As of Friday, April 24, FTA has awarded 5 grants for a total obligation of $48.6 million in ARRA funds. In addition, FTA has 136 grant applications totaling $1.464 billion in process to be obligated.
- On April 21, FTA participated in a webinar hosted by Veolia Transportation, the largest private provider of bus, rail, paratransit, taxi and shuttle services in North America. The webinar provided approximately 150 of their clients with an update on ARRA implementation and included a question and answer session.
- On April 23rd staff from FAA, FTA, FHWA and FRA accompanied staff from OST to a briefing for Senate Appropriations staff on status of ARRA funding.
- DOT is working with the WH Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) on DOT job estimates.
- DOT responded to approximately 84 ARRA phone and email queries the week of April 20th.
- DOT responded to request from Vice President's office for Top 10 DOT projects for inclusion in 100 day report. DOT sent a list of FAA, FHWA and FTA projects.
- On April 21, Lois Romano of the Washington Post interviewed Secretary LaHood on economic recovery for a video to be posted on their website.
- On April 24, Secretary LaHood met with the editorial board of the Chicago Tribune to discuss ARRA and other transportation issues
- Maps of Recovery Act projects showing funds for projects by State and number of projects by State are now posted on DOT website at www.dot.gov/recovery/totalfunds.pdf and www.dot.gov/recovery/totalprojects.pdf
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- Week of April 27th, FRA will meet with Congressional staff to discuss the high-speed rail strategic plan that was released on April 16.
- FRA is planning a series of regional outreach meetings to solicit stakeholder and public input into the development of guidance for the high-speed and intercity passenger rail grant programs.
- During the weeks of April 27 and May 4, Federal Lands will initiate allocations to Indian tribes that contract directly with FHWA for repair of roads and bridges on tribal lands.
- Ferry Boats Grant Requests due to FHWA on May 15.
- On May 6, FTA and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) will host an ARRA workshop in conjunction with APTA's 2009 Bus & Paratransit Conference. The three hour workshop will focus on the grants process, registration requirements and reporting results under ARRA.
- On May 7th, FTA will co-host "A Vision for Recovery" along with the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) at DOT headquarters. This meeting is a workshop for Chief Financial Officers on the State of the Economy. Secretary LaHood will make the opening remarks.
- On April 27, Secretary LaHood will address the Sacramento, CA, Chamber of Commerce "Capital to Capital" annual breakfast in Washington, DC. He will discuss progress on the Recovery Act, high-speed rail, and California transportation projects related to ARRA.
- On April 27, Secretary LaHood will address the American Council of Engineering Companies in Washington, DC. He will provide an update on implementation of ARRA and opportunities for the engineering sector in recovery projects.
- On April 28, Secretary LaHood will speak to the National Association of State Highway and Transportation Unions' conference in Washington, DC. He will honor NASHTU's members and provide an update on ARRA.
- On April 29, Secretary LaHood will testify before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in Washington, DC, regarding the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
- On April 30th, Secretary LaHood will testify before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on Transportation and Housing and Urban Development on DOT's implementation of the Recovery Act.
- On April 29, Secretary LaHood will address the National Chamber Foundation's 8th Annual Aviation Summit in Washington, DC. He will provide an overview of aviation initiatives related to ARRA.
- OST continues to develop criteria for the $1.5 billion TIGER Grants program and to create an organizational framework for administration and oversight of the grants. On April 27, draft criteria went to OMB for review and comment.
- DOT is putting together a report for CEQ on the NEPA status and progress of ARRA projects by April 30th deadline. This report will satisfy Section 1609 requirements
- DOT is working on program specific recovery plan and agency wide recovery plan and intends to submit drafts to OMB for their review on May 1st.
- DOT is working with Operating Administrations on the data requirements under Section 1201 of the Recovery Act. Recipients of ARRA funds are required to provide first report 90 days after enactment.
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