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Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ)

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Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) is a transportation improvement program focused on reducing emissions in designated areas of the United States. Federal funding is available to government agencies for projects that will contribute greatly to air quality improvements and decreases in traffic congestion. Federal CMAQ funds must be spent in non-attainment or maintenance areas as determined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
 
 

CMAQ Eligible Areas

 
  • Boone, Boyd, Bullitt, Campbell, Christian, Daviess, Edmonson, Fayette, Jefferson, Kenton, Marshall, Oldham, and Scott
  • Portions of Greenup, Hancock, Lawrence, and Livingston counties

 Note: 23 U.S.C § 149 allows areas formerly designated as nonattainment to be eligible for CMAQ.

 
Please see the FHWA CMAQ Program Interim Guidance for detailed information on project eligibility.
 
 

Applying for Funding

 

 

The Office of Local Programs is not currently soliciting applications.  However, interested applicants may view the application (TC 20-24) and instructions in the KYTC Forms Library.  A call for applications typically occurs on an annual basis in late summer/early fall. 

Local and state government agencies are eligible to apply for CMAQ funding.  Non-profits and private sector entities may partner with an eligible applicant to complete a project.

In order to be eligible for CMAQ funding a project must be located in one of the CMAQ eligible areas (or have a direct AQ benefit to one of these areas) and must reduce CO2, NOX, VOCs, PM2.5, and PM10 emissions from transportation.  Ancillary benefits of eligible projects, such as greenhouse gas reductions, congestion relief, mobility, and safety may be considered when awarding CMAQ funding, although those benefits do not establish eligibility on their own. 

There is no set limit on the number of applications an applicant may submit or the amount of funding for which an applicant can apply.  However, applicants should keep in mind the state receives a limited amount of CMAQ funding on an annual basis.

Projects must follow all federal and state guidelines outlined in the KYTC LPA Guide. 

 

 
 

Resources

 

FHWA Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program Site


FHWA CMAQ Program Interim Guidance (November 2013)

FHWA CMAQ Cost Effectivness Tables
These tables provide information regarding cost- effectiveness for a range of project types under the CMAQ Program and may be useful to CMAQ applicants and MPOs when completing applications and ranking potential CMAQ projects.

CMAQ Emissions Calculator Toolkit
This toolkit provides assistance in calculating the air quality benefits of a CMAQ project.  

23 U.S.C. § 149
Title 23, part 149  of the United States Code outlines the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program; including eligibility, requirements, evaluation, assessment, and performance planning.

 CMAQ Project Types Exempt from Conformity
Title 40, Chapter 1, Section 93.126 of the Code of Federal Regulations discusses the type of projects that are exempt from the requirement to determine conformity.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The EPA leads the nation's environmental science, research, education and assessment efforts. The mission of the EPA is to protect human health and the environment. Since 1970, the EPA has been working for a cleaner, healthier environment for the American people. 

Kentucky Division for Air Quality
The Kentucky Division for Air Quality's mission is to protect human health and the environment by achieving and maintaining acceptable air quality through operation of a comprehensive air monitoring network, creating effective partnerships with air pollution sources and the public, timely dissemination of accurate and useful information, the judicious use of program resources, and maintenance of a reasonable and effective compliance assurance program.

Central Office Contact

200 Mero St Frankfort, KY
Contact Form
(502) 564-4890
Transportation.ky.gov

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