Expand the SIB pilot program beyond the 4 states and allow States with established SIBs to use TEA-21 funds to capitalize their SIBs. Remove the federal identity from repaid funds into SIBs. As has been the case in other Listening Sessions, States want to be able to use advance construction authority for high priority projects and asked that funds for these projects not be allocated on year by year and project by project basis. The case was made that the project delivery process would be more efficient if high priority projects could proceed when ready with other sources of federal funds and then those sources repaid. ITS is important and we should be looking to find ways to use technology to increase capacity.
Research is needed to find environmentally sensitive way to remove lead.
States will prioritize research to ensure needed research continues. It was recognized that States and universities need to work together with DOT on research, priorities, etc. States and MPOs did not always agree with approaches to planning issues, however. Provide clarification on how consultation is intended to work. Corridor public involvement should be enhanced so discussion of regional scale issues occurs when Plan and TIP are discussed vs. getting bogged down in corridor issues.