Functional Classification is one determinant of eligibility for Federal Transportation Funding.
All roadway projects using federal funds must be approved on the federally classified roadway system before projects on that roadway can be included in the Regional TIP (this includes proposed and new facilities.)
Projects on a roadway with a Local Access functional classification are not eligible to use federal transportation funds unless they are one of these exceptions:
- Any bridge project that is using STP (BR) funds
- Any bicycle project and/or pedestrian project
- Projects using Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funds
- Projects not on a roadway and using CMAQ or other funds
- Any transit project, including equipment purchase and park-and-ride lot projects
National Highway Performance Program (NHPP) funds are only available for projects that are on the designated National Highway System (NHS.)
Adjustments to the urban area boundaries, Functional Classifications, and Federal Aid systems are needed to respond to various types of changes. These changes may be a result of residential, commercial and industrial development, revisions in corporate limits of municipalities, and modification of urbanized and small urban areas by the U.S. Census Bureau. These adjustments are required to establish the eligibility of specific highways, roads and streets for expenditure of federal aid funds for improvements. It may be necessary over time to amend the current FFC System to accurately reflect the classification of a particular roadway.