Program Development and Management Division

Community Services Division:

This Division provides services that relate directly to Maine’s municipalities and counties. The Maine Local Roads Center is a Federal program that provides low cost and practical training and technical assistance on a wide variety of subjects that are of interest to all communities. In addition, the Urban Rural Initiative Program (URIP) is administered here whereby over $20 million of Highway Fund money per year is distributed to each of Maine’s 502 civil divisions for use on their roads. This Division also handles all issues relative to highway classifications, Federal Urban Area boundaries, Urban Compact boundaries, and state and US Route Numbering. The Adopt-A-Highway Program is also administered here along with Maine’s Municipal Sand/Salt Facility Program.

Municipal Solicitation:

Around January of every even-numbered year, MaineDOT works with the statewide Regional Planning Councils (RPCs) to distribute a package requesting project candidates for the upcoming Work Plan, and to gather information on a municipality’s interest in the Competitive Transportation Programs. Each municipality shall work with the applicable RPC in order to submit projects to the MaineDOT for consideration for funding in the upcoming Work Plan.

UTIP Development:

The work of this Unit involves the preparation and distribution of the Unified Transportation Improvement Program (UTIP), also known as the Capital Work Plan (Work Plan), which represents MaineDOT’s strategy of applying available resources to the design and construction of statewide transportation infrastructure. This document lists the upcoming projects to be funded over a two-year period which covers one even and one odd numbered year based on the Federal Fiscal year. For example, the 2010-2011 Work Plan covers from October 1, 2009 to September 30, 2011.

Any major changes in anticipated federal revenue, matching requirements or how funds may be used from prior federal laws require an update to the Work Plan. MaineDOT staff continues to evaluate project costs, scopes of work and efficiency savings to realize the best available use of scarce transportation resources.

Environmental Coordination:

The Program Development and Management Division provides environmental coordination and analysis throughout the planning process in the areas of highway traffic noise, air quality conformity, consultation with Native American Tribes, and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance.

Tribal Consultation
As the result of a recent Executive Order, MaineDOT is in the process of developing a Tribal Consultation Policy that promotes government-to-government communication and collaboration with Maine’s Native American Tribes. The department-wide policy is intended to encourage communication between MaineDOT and Maine’s Native American Tribes and establish a method for the tribes to provide meaningful input into the department’s decision making processes.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a United States environmental law that requires consideration of potential impacts of major federal actions on the environment, including historic and cultural resources. The division provides review and oversight of NEPA procedures and coordinates the Categorical Exclusion process.

Highway Traffic Noise Analysis
Traffic noise is an important consideration that must be taken into account during the environmental review of major highway improvements. For these projects, a noise analysis is required to evaluate existing noise levels and predict potential noise impacts. MaineDOT’s Noise Policy provides guidance for decision-makers on the evaluation and abatement of highway traffic noise impacts.

Air Quality Conformity
Transportation conformity is required under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAA). The purpose of the transportation conformity process is to ensure that federally funded or approved transportation projects, programs and plans are reviewed and evaluated for their impacts on air quality.

For more on highway traffic noise, to view a copy of MaineDOT’s Highway Traffic Noise Policy, or to view a copy of MaineDOT’s most recent air quality conformity analysis please click the link: http://www.maine.gov/mdot/aqn/index.htm

This page last updated on 9/30/10

Mainedot planning process and programs

Program Development and Management Division