The FTA’s process for Capital Investment Grant Projects is a structured process with three phases:
- Project Development. The FTA approved NICTD's request to enter into the project development process in 2016. The project development process included an environmental review that included completing environmental studies, developing and reviewing alternatives, and identifying a locally preferred alternative. The locally preferred alternative was documented in the Environmental Assessment, which was made available for public review and comment in September 2017. After reviewing public comments and identifying measures to mitigation impacts, the FTA issued a Finding of No Significant Impact in November 2018. The SSL will request approval from the FTA to enter into the Engineering phase. At the end of the project development phase, NICTD will request approval from the FTA to enter into the Engineering phase in late June 2019.
- Engineering. Project design will be completed with enough detail to allow the FTA to evaluate, rate, and approve the designs. If the FTA approves the project as designed and provides a favorable ratings decision, it will commit the funding and the SSL will request a Full Funding Grant Agreement. The timeline is dependent on federal approvals.
- Construction. Following a signed Full Funding Grant Agreement, the SSL will advertise the project for bid construction. This will be a Design-Bid-Build project. The FTA will continue to provide oversight throughout the construction process.
