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DRAFT 2010-2013 STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM <br />public review process, and adopts the <br />STIP. <br />• MPOs adjust and adopt their fmal MTIP; <br />MTIPs are added to the STIP. <br />• FHWA and FTA review the STIP for <br />compliance with federal rules and ap- <br />prove the STIP for implementation. <br />After the STIP is approved, it can be <br />amended to add or cancel a project, or to <br />change the scope, timing, or funding of a <br />project. <br />Given the complexity of this process, the <br />STIP Stakeholder Advisory Committee rec- <br />ommended in 2003 that ODOT develop a <br />Users' Guide to document the STIP process <br />and provide the public with better informa- <br />tion about STIP-funded programs and pro- <br />cedures. They also recommended ODOT <br />develop a brochure explaining the STIP de- <br />velopment process. The Users' Guide and <br />Brochure maybe viewed on line at: <br />http://www.oregon. Gov/ODOT/HWY/STIP/. <br />Proiect Eligibility Criteria and Prioritiza- <br />tion Factors <br />For some programs, the OTC has adopted <br />project eligibility criteria and prioritization <br />factors that work like screens to help target <br />investments. The criteria are intended to <br />help ACTs, MPOs, and ODOT staff select <br />projects for programs where needs exceed <br />available funding. The OTC has adopted <br />project eligibility criteria and prioritization <br />factors for three programs: Modernization, <br />Pavement Preservation, and State Bridge <br />Replacement and Rehabilitation. For Mod- <br />ernization, there are separate criteria for D- <br />STIP projects and C-STIP projects. Every <br />project that is approved for funding through <br />these programs must meet the adopted OTC <br />eligibility criteria. Prioritization factors are <br />used by ODOT staff and ACT members to <br />help decide which of many eligible projects <br />should be funded when limited resources <br />prevent all eligible projects from being in- <br />cluded in the STIP. <br />There also may be special legislative crite- <br />ria. For example, in 2001 and again in 2003, <br />the Oregon Legislature approved special <br />funding to address state bridge needs called <br />the Oregon Transportation Investment Acts. <br />Specific projects were identified as eligible <br />for OTIA funding to address statewide <br />bridge needs. It is estimated that a shortfall <br />of $1.7 billion for other bridge repair and <br />replacement needs remains. All projects <br />funded with OTIA must meet the legisla- <br />tively approved funding criteria. <br />Similarly, Congress may impose conditions <br />on projects that are approved with special <br />funding known as earmarks that specify an <br />amount of money that is made available for <br />a particular project. Earmarks often include <br />conditions or special provisions that limit <br />the use of the money. These conditions <br />have the same effect as project eligibility <br />criteria except that they apply project by <br />project. ODOT staff must document in a re- <br />port that applicable project eligibility criteria <br />have been met before a project is included in <br />the STIP. <br />Page 10 <br />