The purpose of this program is to provide federal funds directly
to member subregions for the advancement of projects through the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and preliminary engineering,
thereby developing a solution to a defined problem and making
the project eligible for inclusion in the Statewide
Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The STIP is a list
of proposed improvements developed through the planning process
and scheduled for implementation within a five-year period. A
subregion is a county and the cities of Jersey City and Newark.
Municipalities are eligible for the Local Scoping Program but
must work through their appropriate subregion. Projects must be
part of the National Highway System or be designated a Federal
Aid road.
A project is considered
to be "Scoped" when
it has received a Categorical
Exclusion, a Finding
of No Adverse Affect,
or a Record of Decision
under NEPA from the Federal
Highway Administration
(FHWA), and a Design
Report including any
design exceptions and
that the preliminary
engineering is completed.
An important aspect of
Scoping is the public
involvement process that
is required under NEPA.
A decision to either
advance a project for
inclusion in the STIP
and an eventual final
design, right-of-way
purchase and construction,
or a decision to discontinue
the project will be the
result of the Scoping
process. If a decision
is made to advance the
project to construction,
funding will be provided
either through the Local
Lead Program, the New
Jersey Department of
Transportation (NJDOT),
or other sources. A completed
Scoping project does
not guarantee construction
funding.
Since the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) administer
this program, all subregions are encouraged to contact their respective
MPO for more detailed information concerning the program. The
information provided in this handbook is only presented as a general
guide. Each of the MPO may have different procedures for the completion
of the Scoping process.
A list of the Metropolitian
Organizations located in the State of New Jersey and the subregions
covered is provided in the Federal
Aid Handbook (pdf 240k)
