REGIONAL PLANNING
Project Selection Process
MAG selects and funds regional transportation projects for our communities and other transportation partners within the Provo/Orem urban area. We are pleased to announce the commencement of the 2022 MPO Project Selection Process. The process starts with a project idea, moves to concept, MAG staff conducts a technical review, followed by a field review, and ending with the creation of a project priority list.
Eligible projects include:
- New roads and widening projects
- Intersection improvements
- Active transportation projects
- Regional transportation studies
- New Transit service, equipment, and programs
- Air Quality pollution reduction programs
- Intelligent Transportation Systems
- Airport improvements
If you have questions, please contact Bob Allen.
801-229-3813
rallen@mountainland.org
Road projects must be on the state functional class map and all projects must be listed or supported in the regional transportation plan TransPlan50. All capacity projects must come from municipal transportation or agency plans.
DOWNLOAD- MPO PROJECT SELECTION PROCESS PRESENTATION
DOWNLOAD- MPO PROJECT SELECTION POLICY AND PROCEDURES DOCUMENT
Steps:
1. Project Idea Application
The first step to obtain MPO transportation funding is to complete a draft Project Idea Application, review it with MPO staff, and present your idea to the MPO Technical Advisory Committee (MPO TAC). This step includes submitting supporting maps, diagrams, charts, etc.
The final idea application must be signed by a leader (mayor, county commissioner, agency director) and have proof that the project is either supported by your general plan or have a signed letter by the legislative body leadership (city council, county commission, or agency director).
Once reviewed and scored by MPO staff, the MPO TAC will be presented the results for their feedback. The project idea report must be completed and scored to move to the Concept Report Stage.
1. Draft Idea
- Download Project Idea Application
- Submit draft application, maps, diagrams, charts etc.
- Schedule a meeting with MPO staff to review draft and gain feedback
2. Final Idea
- Complete Final Project Idea Application
- Submit final application, maps, diagrams, charts etc.
- Submit cover letter signed by a leader
- Submit proof project is supported by municipal/agency plans
Idea Ranking
- MAG ranks based off regional impact, problem solution, and cost effectiveness
- Ranked high/medium/low
- MAG reviews projects, pros/cons, and ranking is sent to MPO TAC
- Sponsors decide to move forward to concept report
2. concept
The next step to obtain MAG transportation funding is to complete a Concept Application. This report is more technical than the Project Idea report and can be time consuming. Sponsors of projects not scoring high in the Project Idea phase should weigh the time and costs associated with this report before proceeding. Some sponsors hire outside help to complete the Concept Report.
The application includes a detailed description, purpose and need, benefits such as congestion, number of users, air quality, as well as a detailed cost estimate.
The UDOT Cost Estimate Tools must be used for highway, trails, and other construction projects. Once on the website download the Concept Cost Estimate Excel Spreadsheet. Sponsors can use other estimation tools for projects that the UDOT spreadsheet is not set up to cost (equipment, studies, etc.). Please turn in your work of how your estimate work was done.
Please note, the cost estimating tool produces estimates for federal and state projects. Local project cost on average 15% less. If a project is awarded MAG local funding (UT Co. Sales Transportation Tax and MAG Exchange) the total project award will be discounted by 15%.
DOWNLOAD- CONCEPT APPLICATION
DOWNLOAD- UDOT COST ESTIMATING WORKSHEET
view- SUBMITTED CONCEPT REPORTS
3. MPO Staff Technical review
MAG reviews reports and cost estimates for accuracy, circles back to the sponsor for any questions or changes. Next, MPO staff reviews the final applications to give each project a technical score. The scoring is based on 5 criteria clearly outlined in the Concept Application:
- Congestion Relief
- Mode Choice
- Environment
- Safety
- Additional considerations (regional project, additional sponsor funds pledged)
Once completed, a listing of the project scores will be posted to the link above. Fifty percent of the Technical Review score is weighed toward creating the final Project Priority List.
DOWNLOAD- MPO Staff TECHNICAL SCORES
4. Field review
MPO TAC and staff completes a field review of all projects with project sponsors presenting and answering questions.
The Field Review Packet above contains a copy of each final Project Idea application and MAG Project Idea ranking, the Concept applications and the Technical Review scores, and the itinerary for the day. Depending on the amount of projects, the Field Review could take one to two days.
Project sponsors are required to be present to present their projects and answer questions.
5. project priority list
After the field review, the MPO Technical Advisory Committee scores each project based off the MPO Staff Technical Score, the Field Review and the Concept Reports. The MPO TAC scores are merged with the MPO Staff Technical Score creating the final Project Priority List. Once reviewed and approved by MPO Regional Planning Committee, this list is used by MPO staff to match available funding to the highest scored projects and to create the draft Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP is approved generally the first week in August.