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Local recovery projects - Application process

Stage 1

Local project applications for Stage 1 were due February 18, 2009. In this first stage of the application process, the department received many local project proposals. These were reviewed to determine whether they met the federal eligibility standards the department was working with before the Recovery Act was final. Project eligibility was limited to projects that were ready to go and could be let within 90 days to facilitate job creation and economic activity quickly.

Local governments were notified of all Stage 1 applications that met the eligibility requirements. The project bidding packages for these projects were due to WisDOT by March 17, 2009.

Stage 2

With timeline changes established in the final Recovery Act, WisDOT moved forward with a Stage 2 application process. Stage 2 eligibility was expanded to include projects that could be let in 2009 beyond 90 days and projects that could be let in 2010. Given the purpose and priority of the Recovery Act of creating jobs and economic activity as quickly as possible, projects that could be let in 2009 were prioritized.

All projects ineligible in the Stage 1 solicitation had to re-apply to be considered for project eligibility in the Stage 2 solicitation. One application was required for each roadway project being submitted. No substitute applications were allowed. Example: If a roadway did not qualify for STP-Rural funding because of its functional classification, it could not be submitted as a Transportation Enhancement application.

The Recovery Act requires that all funds for local projects must be “obligated” by March 10, 2010, or the funds will be redistributed to other states. Working back from this critical deadline, WisDOT established a timeline for Stage 2 applications. WisDOT also issued a number of memos to clarify the process.

Memos

• March 23, 2009 memo from WisDOT Secretary Frank Busalacchi
• March 13, 2009 letter to Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) directors
• February 27, 2009 overview letter from WisDOT Secretary Frank Busalacchi

Application timeline

February 27, 2009: Stage 2 application process announced.

March 2, 2009: Stage 2 application process began.

March 17, 2009: Deadline for Stage 1 solicitation qualifying local project completed plans, specifications and estimates (PS&E).

April 8, 2009: Deadline for submission of all local highway, bridge and transportation enhancement applications to WisDOT. Note: This was only the deadline for the application, not for the completed plan submittal. For this deadline, local sponsors must submit a completed project application, which will give WisDOT sufficient information to verify project eligibility under Federal Highway Administration guidelines and confirm the likelihood that the project can meet required deadlines for design submittal to WisDOT.

May 1, 2009: Deadline for completed PS&E submittal for projects that could possibly be ready for bid letting in late June of 2009.

June 1, 2009: This PS&E submittal deadline is only for construction projects that are in an approved WisDOT program cycle and currently scheduled between January 1 and September 30, 2010 and will be ready for bid letting in late July or August 2009.

June 5, 2009:  This PS&E submittal deadline is for construction projects that will be ready for bid letting in late July 2009.

December 1, 2009: Deadline for PS&E submittal for all other projects to be bid in late January, February or March 2010 and constructed in the 2010 construction season. Note: Projects currently in the program between January 1 and September 30, 2010 are NOT eligible for this PS&E submittal date. 

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Last modified: June 23, 2009