Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Improvement Program

The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program is a Federal program that funds transportation projects and programs that contribute to attainment or maintenance of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for ozone, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. The CMAQ program supports the two goals of improving air quality and relieving congestion.

As a non-attainment area for ozone and particulate matter, Connecticut receives Federal CMAQ Improvement Program funds based on the population in the non-attainment areas of the state and the severity of air quality problems.  As shown on the map below, the Capitol Region is part of the Greater Connecticut area, which is classified as moderate nonattainment.

2011-2012 Solicitation:  The Connecticut Department of Transportation recently decided to reserve some of the CMAQ funds available to Connecticut for projects proposed through the regional planning agencies.  They reserved $10 million in federal funds (prior to matching requirements) annually for these regional CMAQ projects. In late 2011 and early 2012, CRCOG coordinated the FY2012 and FY2013 project selection process.  Project applications were due from municipalities on 1/9/12.

Following a ranking process that built on rating criteria that would be used by ConnDOT to make the final selection of projects, the CRCOG Policy Board forwarded three projects to the State on 2/2/12: intersection improvements in West Hartford and Glastonbury and a traffic signal coordination project in Hartford.  The Policy Board also endorsed an additional project proposed for funding due to its unique nature: the purchase and installation of electric vehicle charging stations in Canton and Manchester.  ConnDOT is expected to make its list of selected projects available in May 2012.

The documents below are provided for information purposes regarding the CMAQ selection process.

• Federal Guidelines
• CRCOG Transmittal to Municipalities
• CRCOG Transmittal: additional information
• ConnDOT Transmittal
• ConnDOT Guidelines
• Notice of Intent to Apply
• Application Form
• ConnDOT Cost Estimation Guidelines
• CMAQ Memo re: Projects and Rating Criteria
• CMAQ Notices of Intent to Apply Received

Questions about this program may be submitted to Karen Olson.