The Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) was established by California State Statute utilizing Surface Transportation Program Funds that are identified in Section 133 of Title 23 of the United States Code.

Projects eligible for funding from the RSTP include:

• Construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, resurfacing, restoration, and operational improvements on
1. Federal-aid highways (i.e., on any highways, including NHS and Interstate Highways that are not functionally classified as local or rural minor collectors).
2. Bridges (including bridges on public roads of all functional classifications), including any such construction or reconstruction necessary to accommodate other transportation modes, and including the seismic retrofit and painting of and application of calcium magnesium acetate on bridges and approaches and other elevated structures.
• Mitigation of damage to wildlife, habitat, and ecosystems caused by a transportation project funded under RSTP.
• Capital costs for transit projects eligible for assistance under the Federal Transit Act and publicly owned intracity or intercity bus terminals and facilities.
• Carpool projects, fringe and corridor parking facilities and programs, and bicycle transportation and pedestrian walkways on any public roads in accordance with Section 217 of Title 23, U.S.C.
• Highway and transit safety improvements and programs, hazard elimination, projects to mitigate hazards caused by wildlife, and railway-highway grade crossings. Safety improvements are eligible on public roads of all functional classifications
• Highway and transit research and development and technology transfer programs.
• Capital and operating costs for traffic monitoring, management and control facilities and programs.
• Surface transportation planning programs
• Transportation enhancement activities.
• Transportation control measures listed in Section 108 (f)(1)(A) (other than clauses xii & xvi) of the Clean Air Act.
• Development and establishment of management systems under Section 303 of Title 23, U.S.C.
• Wetlands mitigation efforts related to RSTP projects.

In accordance with Section 133 (f) of Title 23 of the United Stated Code, approximately 76% ($225 million dollars per year) of the state’s RSTP funds must be obligated on projects which are located within the 11 urbanized areas of California with populations greater than 200,000 people. (See attached map for UZAs greater that 200,000 population). The apportionment and distribution for such obligation is calculated based on relative population.

RSTP Allocation Process and Project Selection

Annually Caltrans announces allocations of RSTP between April and May. TRPA exchanges Federal RSTP funds to State Exchange RSTP funds for more flexibility of use. The distribution is below:

• CSLT 44% + $99,448 off the top
• Placer County 25%
• El Dorado County 25%
• TRPA 6%

TRPA will send out a letter to the local jurisdictions stating allocation amount by county. Local jurisdictions agree to distribution amount and submit a project list for the funds. Once these projects are approved, an exchange agreement is signed by both parties, TRPA and the local jurisdiction. After the exchange agreement is in place a check for the distribution amount is sent to the local jurisdiction for use.

Local Jurisdictions Responsibility in RSTP project implementation

Once a project has been recommended and approved for RSTP funding then the local jurisdiction will need to:
Implement the project in a timely manner.

Timely Use of Funds

California State Assembly Bill 1012 (AB102) requires that RSTP funds are subject to a “timely use of funds” provision. AB102 requires that once funds are obligated towards a project then the jurisdiction has up to three years to use the funds or lose them. The TMPO Board also has implemented a timely “Use of Funds Provision” that is similar to AB1012. The TMPO Timely Use of Funds provision gives the MPO staff authority to de-obligate funds from a local agency if project implementation is not moving forward in a satisfactory manner and reapply these funds towards a project that is ready for implementation. This process of fund redistribution would first require the approval by the Tahoe Transportation Commission.

Quarterly Reporting

Recipients of RSTP funding will be required to submit a quarterly report to the TMPO describing the use of funds. This report will provide interagency coordination to better assist in project implementation.