This category is to address the attainment of a national ambient
air quality standard in the non-attainment areas of the state which
are currently Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Beaumont, and El Paso.
Projects are for congestion mitigation and air quality improvement
(CMAQ) in the non-attainment areas in the state.
CMAQ projects are selected by the MPO in consultation with
TxDOT and the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission. Projects
must have final approval by the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) before letting.
Each CMAQ project is evaluated to quantify its air quality
improvement benefits. Funds can not be used to add capacity for
single occupancy vehicles.
All projects must be developed in accordance with applicable
federal or state environmental requirements.
All projects must be designed, constructed, operated and maintained
in accordance with state laws, regulations, directives; and safety,
design, and construction standards as required by TEA-21.
Each non-attainment area receives an annual allocation to
expend each year. Allocations are based on population and air quality
non-attainment factors outlined in TEA-21.
The program is managed by the districts as a bank balance
program with eligible projects (CMAQ) programs.
Match for preliminary engineering, construction, and right-of-way
purchase/utility adjustments will be in accordance with TxDOT's
Policy for Matching Funds - Participation Ratios.