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PROPOSED APPROPRIATING RESOLUTION (TRANSPORTATION AND HIGHWAYS)
Department: Transportation and Highways
Other Part(ies): United States Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Request: Approval
Good(s) or Services(s): Federal Highway Administration's Local Empowerment for Accelerating Projects (LEAP) Pilot Program.
Location: Various Locations throughout the County of Cook
Section: 17-LEAPP-00-EG
Fiscal Impact: $870,000.00
Accounts: Motor Fuel Tax Fund: 600-585
Summary: The Department of Transportation and Highways respectfully submits for adoption a resolution appropriating funds for participation in the Federal Highway Administration's Local Empowerment for Accelerating Projects (LEAP) Pilot Program. The purpose of this appropriation is as follows:
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has created a five-year pilot program for Local Public Agencies (LPAs) to receive federal funding directly instead of via the state's Department of Transportation to accelerate project delivery. The Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways (DOTH) has recently been selected as a potential finalist for the LEAP Pilot Program. One of the conditions of advancing the County's application is a commitment from the LPA to contribute from non-federal funds an amount equal to 1 percent (1%) of federal funds transferred from FHWA. These funds will cover the cost of FHWA's direct stewardship and oversight of federally funded transportation projects that would have otherwise been provided by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
The objectives of this appropriation are to: First is to secure a direct flow of federal transportation funds to Cook County; and Second is to streamline the federal project review and approval process so as to achieve an estimated savings of $16 million in reduced costs from quicker delivery. Participation in LEAP will also allow DOTH to use innovative alternative designs permitted by...
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