†
827
HR 3 EAS
‘‘(B) employ visualization techniques to de-
scribe plans; and
‘‘(C) make public information available in
electronically accessible format and means, such
as the World Wide Web.
‘‘(4) CERTIFICATION.—Before the metropolitan
planning organizations approve a transportation
plan or program, each metropolitan planning organi-
zation shall certify that it has complied with the re-
quirements of the participation plan it has adopted.
‘‘(j) TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.—
‘‘(1) DEVELOPMENT AND UPDATE.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In cooperation with the
State and affected operators of public transpor-
tation, a metropolitan planning organization
designated for a metropolitan planning area
shall develop a transportation improvement pro-
gram for the area.
‘‘(B) PARTICIPATION.—In developing the
transportation improvement program, the metro-
politan planning organization, in cooperation
with the Governor and any affected operator of
public transportation, shall provide an oppor-
tunity for participation by interested parties in
†
828
HR 3 EAS
the development of the program, in accordance
with subsection (i).
‘‘(C) UPDATES.—The transportation im-
provement program shall be updated not less
than once every 4 years and shall be approved
by the metropolitan planning organization and
the Governor.
‘‘(D) FUNDING
ESTIMATE.—In developing
the transportation improvement program, the
metropolitan planning organization, operators of
public transportation, and the State shall coop-
eratively develop estimates of funds that are rea-
sonably expected to be available to support pro-
gram implementation.
‘‘(E) 
PROJECT
ADVANCEMENT.—Projects
listed in the transportation improvement pro-
gram may be selected for advancement consistent
with the project selection requirements.
‘‘(F) MAJOR AMENDMENTS.—Major amend-
ments to the list described in subparagraph (E),
including the addition, deletion, or concept and
scope change of a regionally significant project,
may not be advanced without—
‘‘(i) appropriate public involvement;
‘‘(ii) financial planning;
†
829
HR 3 EAS
‘‘(iii) transportation conformity anal-
yses; and
‘‘(iv) a finding by the Federal High-
way Administration and Federal Transit
Administration that the amended plan was
produced in a manner consistent with this
section.
‘‘(2) INCLUDED PROJECTS.—
‘‘(A) PROJECTS
UNDER
CHAPTER
OF
TITLE 23 AND THIS CHAPTER.—A transportation
improvement program developed under this sec-
tion for a metropolitan area shall include the
projects and strategies within the metropolitan
area that are proposed for funding under chapter
1 of title 23 and this chapter.
‘‘(B) PROJECTS
UNDER
CHAPTER
OF
TITLE 23.—
‘‘(i) 
REGIONALLY
SIGNIFICANT
PROJECTS.—Regionally significant projects
proposed for funding under chapter 2 of
title 23 shall be identified individually in
the metropolitan transportation improve-
ment program.
‘‘(ii) OTHER PROJECTS.—Projects pro-
posed for funding under chapter 2 of title
†
830
HR 3 EAS
23 that are not regionally significant shall
be grouped in 1 line item or identified indi-
vidually in the metropolitan transportation
improvement program.
‘‘(3) SELECTION OF PROJECTS.—
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Except as otherwise
provided under subsection (k)(4), the selection of
federally funded projects in metropolitan plan-
ning areas shall be carried out, from the ap-
proved transportation plan—
‘‘(i) by the State, in the case of projects
under chapter 1 of title 23 or section 5308,
5310, 5311, or 5317 of this title;
‘‘(ii) by the designated recipient, in the
case of projects under section 5307; and
‘‘(iii) in cooperation with the metro-
politan planning organization.
‘‘(B) MODIFICATIONS
TO
PROJECT
PRI-
ORITY.—Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, a project may be advanced from the trans-
portation improvement program in place of an-
other project in the same transportation im-
provement program without the approval of the
Secretary.
‘‘(4) PUBLICATION REQUIREMENTS.—
†
831
HR 3 EAS
‘‘(A) PUBLICATION OF TRANSPORTATION IM-
PROVEMENT
PROGRAM.—A transportation im-
provement program involving Federal participa-
tion shall be published or otherwise made readily
available by the metropolitan planning organiza-
tion for public review, including, to the max-
imum extent practicable, in electronically acces-
sible formats and means, such as the World Wide
Web.
‘‘(B) PUBLICATION OF ANNUAL LISTINGS OF
PROJECTS.—An annual listing of projects, in-
cluding investments in pedestrian walkways and
bicycle transportation facilities, for which Fed-
eral funds have been obligated in the preceding
4 years shall be published or otherwise made
available for public review by the cooperative ef-
fort of the State, transit operator, and the metro-
politan planning organization. This listing shall
be consistent with the funding categories identi-
fied in the transportation improvement program.
‘‘(C) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 120
days after the date of enactment of the Federal
Public Transportation Act of 2005, the Secretary
shall issue regulations specifying—