Local Government Manual 2016 | 1

The Federal Highway Administration, North Dakota Division (FHWA), and the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT), agree to administer the Local Public Agency (LPA) program, Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Program, and Transit Providers pursuant to the guidance herein. This manual is a living document that, when needed, can be modified with the agreement of both parties. Wendall L. Meyer /s/ Ronald Henke /s/ Wendall Meyer North Dakota Division Administrator Federal Highway Administration

Ronald Henke, P.E. Deputy Director for Engineering North Dakota Department of Transportation

1-18-2017

1-18-2017

Date Date

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Providing a transportation system that Safely moves people and goods.

MISSION STATEMENT

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The objective of this manual is to provide a reference source explaining the process of developing federal aid projects for local public agencies (LPAs), metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), and public transit providers. This manual is intended for use by the state, MPOs, cities, counties, tribes, transit providers, and consultants to help develop highway and related transportation projects. The manual presents guidelines, policies, and procedures for planning, programming, funding, developing, designing, constructing, and maintaining urban and county roads. This manual will be updated on an as needed basis when data becomes obsolete, outdated, or the information in this manual needs clarification. Any reference to laws, regulations, rules and/or guidelines are current as of the date this Manual was approved by NDDOT and FHWA.

For questions pertaining to this manual, call the NDDOT Local Government Division at (701)328-2540.

MANUAL OBJECTIVE

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Local public agencies are responsible for planning, designing, building, and maintaining improvements to LPA roads. The only exceptions are projects on the Regional and Interstate systems, where NDDOT is responsible. NDDOT will work with LPAs and the FHWA to develop these projects. This manual defines state-LPA relationships and other details and procedures for implementing the LPA program. The Local Government Division (LGD) manages the following six key functions: MPO Planning activities, Urban Regional Road projects, Urban Roads projects, County Road projects, Transportation Alternative projects, and Transit Grant Administration. This manual was developed to address the issues involved in these Local Government functions.

PREFACE

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MISSION STATEMENT ................................................................................. 2

MANUAL OBJECTIVE .................................................................................... 3

PREFACE ..................................................................................................... 4

CONTENTS ................................................................................................... 5

ABBREVIATIONS .......................................................................................... 12

GLOSSARY .................................................................................................. 14

1.1 GENERAL ........................................................................................... 15

LOCAL GOVERNMENT DIVISION ................................................................ 15

1.2 AUDIT REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................ 15

1.3 TITLE VI ............................................................................................ 16

1.4 RESPONSIBLE CHARGE ........................................................................ 17

1.5 PROGRAMS ........................................................................................ 17

1.6 FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION CHANGES .............................................. 18

1.7 NDDOT RESPONSIBILITIES .................................................................. 19

1.8 MPO AND/OR LPA AND/OR TRIBAL RESPONSIBILITIES ............................ 19

MPO PROGRAM .......................................................................................... 21

2.1 GENERAL ........................................................................................... 21

2.2 AUTHORITY ........................................................................................ 21

2.3 FUNDING ........................................................................................... 22

2.4 BYLAWS ............................................................................................. 22

2.5 MPO BOUNDARIES .............................................................................. 23

2.6 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) .......................................... 23

2.7 ADMINISTRATION ............................................................................... 24

2.8 UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM (UPWP) ........................................ 27

2.9 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PROCESS .......................................................... 28

2.10 TRANSPORTATION PLAN ...................................................................... 28

CONTENTS

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2.11 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (TIP) ................................. 29

2.12 TRANSPORTATION ASSET MANAGEMENT ............................................... 30

2.13 METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION PLANNING PROCESS CERTIFICATION .. 30

2.14 TRANSPORTATION STUDIES ................................................................. 31

2.15 FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF ROADWAYS WITHIN THE URBANIZED AREA ................................................................................................. 31

2.16 COORDINATION .................................................................................. 31

PROGRAM INFORMATION ......................................................................... 32

3.1 GENERAL ........................................................................................... 32

3.2 STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (STIP).............. 33

3.3 CONSULTANT SELECTION .................................................................... 34

INTERSTATE AND REGIONAL SYSTEMS .................................................. 34

LPA ROAD SYSTEMS ............................................................................ 34

3.4 REIMBURSEMENT ................................................................................ 35

ENGINEERING .................................................................................... 35

RIGHT OF WAY ................................................................................... 36

UTILITIES .......................................................................................... 36

CONTRACTOR PAYMENTS ..................................................................... 37

FUNDING-LIMITED (CAPPED) PROJECTS ................................................ 38

3.5 INTERSTATE PROGRAM........................................................................ 38

FUNDING ........................................................................................... 38

PROJECT PARTICIPATION ..................................................................... 38

PROJECT SELECTION ........................................................................... 39

ELIGIBILITY ....................................................................................... 39

3.6 URBAN PROGRAM ............................................................................... 39

FUNDING ........................................................................................... 39

PROJECT PARTICIPATION ..................................................................... 40

PROJECT SELECTION ........................................................................... 41

ELIGIBILITY ....................................................................................... 42

3.7 COUNTY PROGRAM ............................................................................. 42

FUNDING ........................................................................................... 42

PROJECT PARTICIPATION ..................................................................... 42

PROJECT SELECTION ........................................................................... 43

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ELIGIBILITY ....................................................................................... 43

3.8 BRIDGE PROGRAM .............................................................................. 43

FUNDING ........................................................................................... 43

PROJECT PARTICIPATION ..................................................................... 44

PROJECT SELECTION ........................................................................... 44

ELIGIBILITY ....................................................................................... 44

3.9 SAFETY PROGRAM ............................................................................... 45

FUNDING ........................................................................................... 45

PROJECT PARTICIPATION ..........