Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP)

IDOT’s ITEP application period begins Aug. 21^st and ends 4:30 CST on Nov. 2^nd.

All project applications must be submitted through the online application process and should be complete and accurate.

All project applications must either complete a Community Score through the GIS mapping tool or pick from a list of existing Community Scores already created.

• In addition to the online submission, IDOT must also receive one unbound hard copy of the application and attachments by 4:30 CST on November 2, 2020.
• The hard copy must contain a six-digit ITEP number that is automatically generated once you click on the “Finalize and Submit” button.

Regardless of method of delivery, the hard copy must be received by IDOT by Close of Business (4:30 PM CST) on that date.  Applications that are postmarked before the deadline but are received after the deadline WILL BE MARKED INELIGIBLE AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR FUNDING.

All project applications and related materials are to be mailed to the Illinois Department of Transportation at the following address:

Illinois Department of Transportation
Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program
Room 307
2300 South Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, Illinois 62764

Projects submitted in conjunction with a previously funded ITEP improvement:

Projects submitted that are being done in conjunction with a previously awarded ITEP project will need to provide specific information regarding the related project.  In other words, if you are applying for funds to continue with another construction phase, extend, or fund another phase of a previously funded ITEP project, information identifying the related project will need to be provided.  This information is explained in the on-line application documentation.  The sponsor will need to provide the following information:

• ITEP number  
• Project Title
• Amount of federal funding provided previously
• Any state job numbers tied to the previous ITEP project
• Project status

Applying for multiple projects that are closely related within the current application cycle:

If the sponsor is applying for more than one project in the same application cycle and the projects are closely related, the sponsor will need to provide information in the application identifying all related projects.  A project is related if it has overlapping project limits or is built adjacent to each other.

Since the ITEP number is created only after the application is finalized and submitted, then only with subsequently submitted applications will the ITEP number be known to include in the related application.  Due to this limitation please provide at a minimum the project title, project description, and location of any related projects before finalizing and submitting.

• ITEP number (if known, include for all related projects already submitted in current cycle)
• Project Title
• Project Description
• Project Location

APPLICATION ATTACHMENTS:

1. GATA Uniform Grant Application
2. GATA Programmatic Risk Assessment
3. GATA Uniform Grant Budget Template
4. BoBS 2831: Uniform Grant Agreement Affidavit of Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest - Grantee (3/9/20)
5. • Conflict of Interest and Financial Disclosure Statement
6. Detailed Cost Estimate
7. Project Location Map
8. Colored Photographs
9. Local Assurance Page (PRO 2245)
10. Government Resolution
11. Public Involvement
12. Letters of Support

Federal Funding

On December 4, 2015, the federal transportation bill, Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, or “FAST Act” was signed into law.  The FAST Act replaced the MAP-21 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) with a set-aside of Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program funding for transportation alternatives authorized under Section 1109 of the FAST Act (23 U.S.C. 133(h)).

State Funding

20 ILCS 2705-615 establishes supplemental state funding, set aside from the Road Fund, for projects in the categories of pedestrian and bicycle facilities and the conversion of abandoned railroad corridors to trails. At least 25% of projects funded will be directed toward projects in high-need communities and the local matching funds required shall be determined based on a sliding scale based on the Community Map score. See ITEP Guidelines for further details.

Applicants may apply for up to $2,000,000 maximum per project in ITEP funds. Total funds available for this cycle is $105.6 million.

ITEP is a reimbursable grant program, which requires an interagency/joint funding agreement that details the project scope of work and cost participation. The project sponsor must pay preliminary engineering costs up-front and will be reimbursed as the sponsor submits the paperwork documenting implementation.  Depending upon whether the project is local-let or state-let, the same conditions may apply for the construction phase.

Pursuant to federal requirements as established by MAP-21 and subsequently by the FAST Act, a proposed project must meet the following criteria:

• The project must fit within one of the eligible categories and must comply with any additional IDOT policies as outlined in the guidelines.
• The project must relate to surface transportation.
• The project must have an eligible project sponsor.
• The project must be selected through a competitive process.

Federal funds will provide reimbursement up to 50 percent for right-of-way and easement acquisition costs, and up to 80 percent for preliminary engineering, utility relocations, construction engineering and construction costs.  The required match is the responsibility of the project sponsor unless they qualify for state matching funds based on the Community Map score.  There are a variety of other funding sources available to communities (see Matching Funds under Section D).  Other federal transportation funds cannot be used as local match.  Sponsors should seek alternative funding sources or be able to make up funding shortfalls with local funds.

The additional state funding provided through the set-aside of the Road Fund will be used for projects in the categories of pedestrian and bicycle facilities and the conversion of abandoned railroad corridors to trails. The state funds will provide matching funds to the federal funds on a sliding scale for those communities determined to be high need, as well as allow IDOT to award funds to additional ITEP projects. Local match will be determined once all applications have been scored and the Community Map scores are evaluated.  The local match for those projects in the most high-need communities will have no local match required; those projects in the next group of high-need scores will have 10% local match required.  Projects that have high project scores but low scores for the high-need elements will have a 20% local match.

Work that begins prior to federal authorization will not be eligible for reimbursement.  Furthermore, an ITEP award recipient will be required to pay back funds if reasonable progress has not been made.  Please see FHWA Order 5020.1A, June 8, 2018, Repayment of Preliminary Engineering Costs for further guidance.  All ITEP funded projects must have all phases of work fully obligated within four years of the award notification letter or funds will be rescinded.

Matching Funds

Eligible matching funding sources include:

• Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program (IDNR)
• Other IDNR Grant Programs (based on IDNR eligibility)
• Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Tourism Funding Options
• Community Development Block Grants (42 U.S.C. 5305)
• State and Local Motor Fuel Tax Funds (MFT)
• Local General Revenue Tax Funds
• Federal funds that are not included in the ISTEA, TEA-21, SAFETEA-LU, MAP-21 or FAST Act federal highway bills
• Non-Profit Organization Funds donated to the ITEP sponsor
• Private or Corporate Funds donated to the ITEP sponsor
• Soft Match (See Local Agency Federal Flexible Match (FFM) Program - Appendix 6)
• State Road Fund set aside for ITEP

Ineligible matching funding sources include:

• National Recreational Trails Program
• Public Lands Highways Discretionary Fund Program (Forest Highway Program)
• National Scenic Byway Program
• ISTEA federal highway funds
• TEA-21 federal highway funds
• SAFETEA-LU federal highway funds
• MAP-21/TAP federal highway funds
• FAST Act federal highway funds
• Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program funds

Eligible applicants or project sponsors are local entities with taxing authority that can guarantee matching funds to carry out the proposed project.  Sponsors assume responsibility and accountability for the use and expenditure of program funds.  Applicants and/or implementing agencies must be able to comply with all the federal and state laws, regulations, policies and procedures required to enter into project agreements.

Under 23 U.S.C. 213(c)(4)(B), the eligible entities to receive ITEP funds are:

• local governments;
• regional transportation authorities;
• transit agencies;
• natural resource or public land agencies;
• school districts, local education agencies, or schools;
• tribal governments;
• nonprofit entities responsible for administration of local transportation safety programs; and
• any other local or regional governmental entity with responsibility for oversight of transportation or recreational trails (other than a metropolitan planning organization or a State agency) that the State determines to be eligible.

Although State agencies and MPOs with responsibility for oversight of transportation or recreational trails cannot sponsor a project, they can partner with an eligible project sponsor.

The project sponsor is responsible for the following:

• Secure required sponsor match through cash, right-of-way donations, FFM, or other means
• Complete environmental documents, clearances, permits and mitigation
• Ensure necessary environmental studies and sign-off by appropriate federal, state and local agencies
• Acquire local assurance from the proper authorities to ensure commitment
• Complete GATA pre-award requirements
• Submit all GATA documents required in the application
• Complete all GATA periodic reporting requirements and consolidated year-end financial review CYFER
• Coordinate project with Local IDOT District Office; conduct kick-off meeting
• Provide a project milestone schedule
• Schedule start dates for all types of work according to the award notification and Sunset Clause (see Section J)
• Acquire sponsor and agency joint agreements
• Complete preliminary engineering
• Prepare contract plans
• Perform utility relocations (as required)
• Manage, administer and implement the project
• Acquire necessary right-of-way and easements
• Maintain the project after completion
• Provide project status or timeline upon request
• Responsible for the cost of all ineligible items

1. Pedestrian/Bicycle Facilities
2. Streetscapes
3. Conversion of Abandoned Railroad Corridors to Trails
4. Historic Preservation and Rehabilitation of Historic Transportation Facilities
5. Vegetation Management in Transportation Rights-of-Way
6. Archaeological Activities Relating to Impacts from Implementation of a Transportation Project
7. Storm Water Management, Control and Water Pollution Prevention or Abatement Related to Highway Construction or Due to Highway Runoff
8. Reduce Vehicle-Caused Wildlife Mortality or Restore and Maintain Connectivity Among Terrestrial or Aquatic Habitats
9. Construction of Turnouts, Overlooks, and Viewing Areas

Ineligible Items:

• Scenic or historic highway programs (including the provision of tourist and welcome center facilities)
• Provision of safety and educational activities for pedestrians and bicyclists
• Acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites
• Establishment of transportation museums
• State or MPO administrative purposes
• Promotional activities
• Routine maintenance and operation
• General recreation and park facilities, playground equipment, sports fields, campgrounds, picnic areas and pavilions
• Road work (i.e. resurfacing)
• Bike sharing programs – capital and operational costs
• Bike/bus/picnic shelters
• Equestrian and snowmobile trails
• Landscape work (as a stand-alone project)
• Parking lots (that support traditional modes of transportation such as cars, trucks, and busses)
• Parking spaces/striping
• Storm sewers
• Trash receptacles
• Courthouses
• Building Purchase
• Alleyway improvements
• Trail resurfacing (maintenance)
• Bicycle lockers/racks (as a stand-alone project)
• Pedestrian crossings (as a stand-alone project)
• Street lighting (with no co-located alternate transportation facility or as a stand-alone project; unless in a designated historic district)
• Pedestrian lighting (as a stand-alone project)
• Fences (unless addressing a significant safety issue)
• Recreational trails
• Benches (unless permanent in nature, limited)

Project Evaluation
All ITEP projects must be selected through a competitive process.  In order to comply with federal guidelines, IDOT has developed a numerical-based scoring process.  After IDOT receives the candidate project applications, an initial review will be done of all applications received for eligibility and GATA compliance.  All eligible project applications are organized and assigned to reviewers statewide for a more comprehensive review based on established review criteria listed below.  These reviewers consist of MPOs, IDOT districts, other state agencies and internal IDOT staff, each project has a minimum of three reviewers. A Selection Committee will review the candidate projects in rating order from highest to lowest and discusses the cut off for approval based on the funding available.   

Review Criteria

1. Eligibility
2. Strength of transportation relationship
3. Project meets category intent
4. Public benefits and accessibility
5. Project support / local commitment
6. Connectivity to existing facilities / Linkage
7. Prior sponsor investment
8. Project sponsor capacity, readiness and past performance
9. Project readiness
10. Status of Phase I Engineering, extra points will be given for completion
11. Status of Land Acquisition, extra points will be given for the completion
12. Application completeness/Information provided
13. Inclusion in a local, state or regional plan
14. Cost effectiveness
15. Planning and coordination

Project Selection and Approval
A notification letter will be sent to those receiving ITEP grants after the ITEP awards are announced.  These letters will include further instructions regarding how to contact your local IDOT District Enhancement Coordinator to proceed with your project.  It is imperative that you contact your respective IDOT District Enhancement Coordinator immediately upon award notification.

If your project receives an ITEP award:

• You will receive a notification letter with the award amount. The notification letter will also contain deadlines for your specific project based on phases of work approved for funding.  Note that if any deadline is not met, funds may be rescinded.
• Immediately contact your IDOT District Enhancement Coordinator; contact information can be found at the bottom of the notification letter. A kick-off meeting must be scheduled within 6 weeks of award notification.
• All ITEP funded projects must have all phases of work fully obligated within four years of the award notification letter or funds will be rescinded.
• Obtain guidance from your IDOT District Enhancement Coordinator on how to proceed with the project development process by getting the proper paperwork in place.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

• ITEP Application Instructions
• ITEP Sample Application

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