ATTAIN Competitive Grant Application - Approve Grant Application SubmissionCity of Dubuque
City Council
CONSENT ITEMS # 17.
Copyrighted
September 8, 2026
ITEM TITLE: ATTAIN Competitive Grant Application - Approve Grant
Application Submission
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council adopt the attached
resolution (Retroactively) approving the filing of the
application by the Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation
Study, through the East Central Intergovernmental
Association, with the Federal Highway Administration and
U.S. Department of Transportation for a Fiscal Years 2025
and 2026 Advanced Transportation Technology and
Innovation (ATTAIN) Competitive Grant to assist with funding
for the proposed Dubuque Smart Corridor Initiative.
RESOLUTION Retroactively Authorizing The Dubuque
Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (DMATS), Through
The East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA), To
File A Grant Application With The Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) And U.S. Department Of
Transportation (USDOT) For An Advanced Transportation
Technology And Innovation (Attain) Competitive Grant For
The Dubuque Smart Corridor Initiative
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Adopt Resolution(s)
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo ATTAIN Competitive Grant Application
2. CITY COUNCIL MEMO OF RECOMMENDATION 20260812
3. ATTAIN Smart Grant Council Submit Approval - RESOLUTION 20260811
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: ATTAIN Competitive Grant Application
Approve Grant Application Submission
DATE: September 2, 2026
City Engineer Gus Psihoyos, Assistant City Engineer Robert Schiesl, and Civil Engineer
III David Ness are recommending City Council adopt the attached resolution
(Retroactively) approving the filing of the application by the Dubuque Metropolitan Area
Transportation Study, through the East Central Intergovernmental Association, with the
Federal Highway Administration and U.S. Department of Transportation for a Fiscal
Years 2025 and 2026 Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN)
Competitive Grant to assist with funding for the proposed Dubuque Smart Corridor
Initiative.
The required non-federal match represents 20% of total project costs. The City of
Dubuque would provide the required 20% match for the portion of the project located
within its jurisdiction, while the Illinois Department of Transportation would provide the
required 20% match for the portion of the project located within Illinois.
The proposed project budget includes a 20% contingency for the construction
component. Remaining project costs primarily involve technology -based ITS
improvements developed in consultation with project vendors.
In the event of project cost overruns, the City would coordinate with DMATS to pursue
additional available federal funding and would provide the corresponding required 20%
match for additional federal funds associated with the City's portion of the project.
DMATS would similarly coordinate with IL DOT regarding funding necessary for cost
overruns associated with the Illinois portion of the project.
The City's local match commitment would be contingent upon award of the federal
ATTAIN grant funding. Staff will continue coordination with the Finance and Budget
Departments to identify and program the City's required local match through the Capital
Improvement Program over the anticipated project implementation period.
Should the Mayor and City Council elect to decline participation in the ATTAIN
Competitive Grant Program, DMATS may withdraw the application prior to grant award.
The overall funding plan is:
Funding Source
Amount
Federal ATTAIN Grant Request
$3,470,468
Non -Federal Match
City of Dubuque
Illinois DOT
$782,757
$84,860
Total Estimated Project Cost
$4,338,085
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
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Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
Robert Schiesl, Assistant City Engineer
David Ness, Civil Engineer III
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TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
Robert Schiesl, Assistant City Engineer
David Ness, Civil Engineer III
SUBJECT: ATTAIN Competitive Grant Application
Approve Grant Application Submission
DATE: August 12, 2026
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide the Mayor and City Council with
information and documentation in support of the attached resolution authorizing the
Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (DMATS), through the East Central
Intergovernmental Association (ECIA), to submit an application to the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) through the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)
Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) Competitive Grant
Program for the proposed Dubuque Smart Corridor Initiative.
The proposed grant application requests $3,470,468 in federal ATTAIN funding toward
a total estimated project cost of $4,338,085. The remaining $867,617 represents the
required 20% non-federal match, which would be shared between the City of Dubuque
and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IL DOT) based upon the portions of the
project located within their respective jurisdictions.
If awarded, the grant would support deployment and integration of advanced
transportation technologies designed to improve traffic operations, reduce congestion,
enhance emergency response, improve safety and travel -time reliability, and strengthen
regional freight mobility across the Dubuque metropolitan area, including the two
Mississippi River crossings connecting Iowa and Illinois.
BACKGROUND
The City of Dubuque, in partnership with DMATS, developed the Smart Traffic Routing
with Efficient and Effective Traffic System (STREETS) project to improve mobility, reduce
congestion, enhance safety, and optimize existing roadway capacity throughout the
community. The STREETS system utilizes real-time traffic monitoring, predictive
modeling, video analytics, intelligent signal control, and dynamic traffic management to
support more efficient transportation operations.
Building on this foundation, the City and its regional partners were previously awarded
funding through the USDOT Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation
(SMART) Grant Program to advance connected vehicle and transportation technology
initiatives. Phase 1 of the SMART Grant project established an open transportation data
platform that aggregates and standardizes transportation information from local, regional,
and state systems through the Vehicle Data Aggregator (VDA).
The SMART project also demonstrated cellular -based Vehicle -to -Network (V2N)
communications capable of providing location -specific transportation information directly
to vehicles. This approach allows information concerning roadway conditions, incidents,
work zones, weather, and other transportation events to ultimately be communicated
through connected vehicle systems rather than relying exclusively on traditional roadside
infrastructure.
The proposed ATTAIN project would build upon these previous investments and transition
technologies successfully demonstrated through the SMART Grant from prototype and
pilot applications into broader operational deployment.
The project would place particular emphasis on the Dubuque metropolitan area's two
Mississippi River crossings and associated transportation corridors connecting Iowa and
Illinois. These crossings serve as critical links for regional commuters, interstate freight,
commercial traffic, and emergency responders. Rail crossings throughout the
metropolitan area also create transportation challenges associated with congestion,
traffic queues, emergency response delays, and travel -time reliability.
ATTAIN COMPETITIVE GRANT:
The proposed Dubuque Smart Corridor Initiative includes deployment and integration
of advanced transportation technologies intended to improve mobility, traffic operations,
emergency response, freight movement, traveler information, and transportation system
performance.
Key project components include:
• Deployment of additional traffic detection, closed-circuit television (CCTV)
cameras, and Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) on the Illinois approaches to the
Mississippi River crossings. Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) for these
improvements have already been completed in coordination with the Iowa
Department of Transportation, Illinois Department of Transportation, City of
Dubuque, and City of East Dubuque.
• Deployment of a rail crossing monitoring system capable of providing real-time
crossing status information.
• Development of predictive rail crossing analytics to estimate crossing blockage
timing, duration, and resulting traffic impacts.
• Integration of rail crossing information with the City's Advanced Traffic
Management System (ATMS), Vehicle Data Aggregator (VDA), and emergency
services Computer -Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems.
• Enhancement of emergency vehicle routing using real-time transportation and rail
crossing information to allow emergency responders to avoid blocked crossings
and other transportation disruptions.
• Upgrades to Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP), emergency vehicle GPS, and
communications technologies to improve emergency response reliability and traffic
signal coordination.
• Expansion of connected vehicle and traveler information capabilities using
Vehicle -to -Network communications to provide motorists with real-time information
concerning incidents, rail crossing blockages, lane closures, work zones, weather
conditions, and other transportation disruptions.
• Development of traveler information interfaces supporting Android Auto, Apple
CarPlay, mobile applications, and third -party access to transportation information
through the VDA.
• Continued integration, testing, refinement, cybersecurity implementation,
performance monitoring, and evaluation of the regional transportation technology
system.
The project is intended to maximize the value of existing federal, state, and local
transportation investments by integrating and expanding systems already established
through the City's STREETS program and the USDOT SMART Grant rather than
constructing additional roadway capacity.
The project would also strengthen coordination across the Iowa -Illinois state line by
integrating transportation operations on both sides of the Mississippi River. This multi-
state approach is intended to improve incident management, travel -time reliability, freight
movement, emergency response, and traveler information across transportation corridors
that are important to both the regional and interstate transportation networks.
PROJECT READINESS
The City of Dubuque and DMATS are well positioned to implement the proposed project.
The project team has worked together for approximately four years developing and
deploying advanced transportation technologies through the STREETS and SMART
programs.
Existing infrastructure already in operation includes the City's Advanced Traffic
Management System (ATMS), Vehicle Data Aggregator (VDA), extensive fiber and
communications infrastructure, traffic detection systems, camera systems, traffic signal
communications, and connected vehicle capabilities.
The V2N technology proposed for expansion through ATTAIN was successfully
demonstrated through the Phase 1 SMART Grant. In addition, the Plans, Specifications,
and Estimates for the proposed Illinois ITS improvements have already been completed
in coordination with participating transportation agencies.
The proposed project would comply with applicable federal requirements, including the
systems engineering requirements for Intelligent Transportation Systems established
under 23 CFR Part 940. Project implementation would include systems engineering,
integration, testing, operational acceptance, cybersecurity, financial management,
reporting, and other applicable federal requirements.
These existing systems, completed design work, established partnerships, and previous
technology deployments significantly reduce implementation risk and position DMATS
and the City to efficiently deploy the proposed improvements should ATTAIN funding be
awarded.
PROJECT SCHEDULE
The proposed project development schedule incorporated into the ATTAIN grant
application includes the following phases:
Task 1: Project Administration (Months 1-36) — DMATS will provide overall grant
administration, federal coordination, reporting, compliance, and project oversight.
Task 2: Project Management & Coordination (Month 1 and throughout project
implementation) — Parsons will provide project management and coordination through
the City's STREETS program, including coordination of engineering, procurement,
construction, integration, and subconsultants.
Task 3: East Dubuque Detection, CCTV & DMS (Months 1-18) — Construct ITS
improvements on the Illinois approaches to the Mississippi River crossings, including
traffic detection, CCTV cameras, DMS, construction management, and oversight.
Task 4: Rail Crossing Monitoring System Deployment (Months 1-10) — Install rail
crossing detection equipment and communications infrastructure and integrate real-time
crossing status information into the ATMS.
Task 5: Predictive Rail Crossing Analytics Development (Months 9-28) — Develop
predictive algorithms and models to estimate rail crossing blockage timing, duration, and
downstream transportation impacts and integrate predictive information into the ATMS
and VDA.
Task 6: Dynamic Emergency Vehicle Routing & Preemption (Months 1-29) —
Integrate emergency services CAD with the ATMS and VDA, configure dynamic
emergency vehicle routing, upgrade EVP systems, optimize traffic signal timing, and
conduct operational testing.
Task 7: Emergency Vehicle GPS & Communications Deployment (Months 2-36) —
Deploy or upgrade GPS and communications technologies for emergency vehicles,
configure V2N communications, and validate integration with routing and dispatch
systems.
Task 8: Traveler Information Enhancements (Months 10-36) — Enhance traveler
information and connected vehicle interfaces to provide real-time transportation alerts,
including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality and third -party access to VDA
information.
Task 9: Production System Setup & Integration (Months 1-7) — Establish the
production environment, configure servers and cloud infrastructure, finalize system
integrations, and implement cybersecurity protocols.
Task 10: Full System Integration Testing (Months 23-36) — Conduct end -to -end testing
and validation of field systems, connected vehicle communications, emergency routing,
signal preemption, and other integrated technologies.
Task 11: System Refinements & Optimization (Months 3-36) — Refine and optimize
system operations based upon operational data, observed performance, and stakeholder
feedback.
Task 12: Project Documentation, Performance Evaluation & Final Reporting
(Months 1-36) — Evaluate project performance, document outcomes, and prepare
required deployment documentation and final reporting.
Project implementation is anticipated to occur over approximately 36 months following
award of grant funding.
TRANSPORTATION AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS:
The proposed project is intended to address several important transportation challenges
affecting the Dubuque metropolitan area and the multi -state transportation network
connecting Iowa and Illinois, including:
• Congestion and travel delays associated with incidents on the Mississippi River
crossings and surrounding transportation corridors.
• Blocked rail crossings and resulting traffic queues that affect roadway operations,
emergency response, and travel -time reliability.
• Emergency response delays resulting from blocked rail crossings, congestion, and
limited real-time routing information.
• Freight delays and unreliable travel times affecting commercial vehicles and
interstate commerce.
• Limited availability of real-time information concerning incidents, rail crossings,
lane closures, work zones, weather conditions, and other transportation
disruptions.
• The need to maximize the capacity, performance, reliability, and useful life of
existing transportation infrastructure without constructing additional roadway
capacity.
Through integration of real-time traffic monitoring, predictive analytics, intelligent
transportation systems, emergency response technologies, and connected vehicle
communications, the project is intended to reduce incident -related delays, improve travel -
time reliability, improve emergency response coordination, reduce congestion, enhance
transportation safety, and strengthen regional freight mobility.
The project would provide particular benefits to freight and commercial vehicle operations
using the Mississippi River crossings. Real-time information regarding incidents, rail
crossing blockages, work zones, lane closures, and weather conditions would allow
commercial vehicle operators and transportation agencies to better anticipate
transportation disruptions and improve the reliability and predictability of freight
movement between Iowa and Illinois.
The project is also intended to produce environmental benefits by reducing unnecessary
vehicle delay, idling, stop -and -go traffic, and fuel consumption associated with
transportation disruptions.
Continuous performance monitoring would be used
transportation system performance, incident response,
response, congestion, and freight mobility.
BUDGETIMPACT
to evaluate improvements in
travel -time reliability, emergency
The planning -level project cost estimate incorporated into the ATTAIN grant application
is summarized as follows:
Description
Total Project
Cost
Project Administration
$200,000
Project Management & Coordination
$160,000
East Dubuque Detection, CCTV & DMS
$496,085
Rail Crossing Monitoring System Deployment
$739,000
Predictive Rail Crossing Analytics Development
$255,000
Dynamic Emergency Vehicle Routing & Preemption
$1,150,000
Emergency Vehicle GPS & Communications Deployment
$510,000
Traveler Information Enhancements
$295,000
Production System Setup & Integration
$78,000
Full System Integration Testing
$180,000
System Refinements & Optimization
$180,000
Project Documentation, Performance Evaluation & Final Reporting
$95,000
Total Project Cost
$4,338,085
The overall funding plan is:
Funding Source
Amount
Federal ATTAIN Grant Request
$3,470,468
Non -Federal Match
City of Dubuque
$782,757
Illinois DOT
$84,860
Total Estimated Project Cost $4,338,085
The required non-federal match represents 20% of total project costs. The City of
Dubuque would provide the required 20% match for the portion of the project located
within its jurisdiction, while the Illinois Department of Transportation would provide the
required 20% match for the portion of the project located within Illinois.
The proposed project budget includes a 20% contingency for the construction
component. Remaining project costs primarily involve technology -based ITS
improvements developed in consultation with project vendors.
In the event of project cost overruns, the City would coordinate with DMATS to pursue
additional available federal funding and would provide the corresponding required 20%
match for additional federal funds associated with the City's portion of the project. DMATS
would similarly coordinate with IL DOT regarding funding necessary for cost overruns
associated with the Illinois portion of the project.
The City's local match commitment would be contingent upon award of the federal
ATTAIN grant funding. Staff will continue coordination with the Finance and Budget
Departments to identify and program the City's required local match through the Capital
Improvement Program over the anticipated project implementation period.
RECOMMENDATION
I respectfully recommend that the City authorize the Dubuque Metropolitan Area
Transportation Study, through the East Central Intergovernmental Association, to submit
an application to the Federal Highway Administration through the U.S. Department of
Transportation Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN)
Competitive Grant Program to assist with funding for the proposed Dubuque Smart
Corridor Initiative and approve the City's required local match for the portion of the
project located within the City's jurisdiction, contingent upon award of federal grant
funding.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
I respectfully request Mayor and City Council adopt the attached resolution
(Retroactively) approving the filing of the application by the Dubuque Metropolitan Area
Transportation Study, through the East Central Intergovernmental Association, with the
Federal Highway Administration and U.S. Department of Transportation for a Fiscal Years
2025 and 2026 Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN)
Competitive Grant to assist with funding for the proposed Dubuque Smart Corridor
Initiative.
Should the Mayor and City Council elect to decline participation in the ATTAIN
Competitive Grant Program, DMATS may withdraw the application prior to grant award.
cc: Jenny Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Laura Bendorf, Budget Manager
Anderson Sainci, Director of Strategic Partnerships
Chandra Ravada, ECIA
Teri Goodmann, Hawks Goodmann and Associates
Andrew Seth, Sustainable Strategies DC
Amy Scheller, Fire Chief
Joseph Messerich, Police Chief
Duane Richter, Traffic Project Supervisor
Justine Hull, Civil Engineer I
Jason Duba, Assistant Planner
F:\PROJECTS\ATTAIN GRANT APPLICATION 2026\CITY COUNCIL MEMO OF RECOMMENDATION 20260812
Prepared by: David Ness — Civil Engineer III City of Dubuque 50 W. 13" Street Dubuque IA 52001 (563) 589-4270
Return to: Adreinne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk, 50W 131h Street, Dubuque, IA 52001 (563) 589-4100
RESOLUTION NO. 327-26
RETROACTIVELY AUTHORIZING THE DUBUQUE METROPOLITAN AREA
TRANSPORTATION STUDY (DMATS), THROUGH THE EAST CENTRAL
INTERGOVERNMENTAL ASSOCIATION (ECIA), TO FILE A GRANT APPLICATION
WITH THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION (FHWA) AND U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (USDOT) FOR AN ADVANCED
TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION (ATTAIN) COMPETITIVE
GRANT FOR THE DUBUQUE SMART CORRIDOR INITIATIVE
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), through the Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA), issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Fiscal
Years 2025 and 2026 Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN)
Competitive Grant Program; and
WHEREAS, the City of Dubuque, in partnership with the Dubuque Metropolitan Area
Transportation Study (DMATS), has developed and implemented the Smart Traffic
Routing with Efficient and Effective Traffic System (STREETS) to improve mobility,
reduce congestion, enhance safety, and optimize existing roadway capacity; and
WHEREAS, the City and its regional partners have further advanced connected vehicle
and transportation technology initiatives through the USDOT Strengthening Mobility and
Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grant Program, including development of a
Vehicle Data Aggregator (VDA) and Vehicle -to -Network (V2N) communications; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Dubuque Smart Corridor Initiative would build upon these
investments by expanding intelligent transportation systems across critical multi -state
transportation corridors connecting Iowa and Illinois, including the two Mississippi River
crossings; and
WHEREAS, the proposed project includes traffic detection, CCTV cameras and Dynamic
Message Signs (DMS), rail crossing monitoring and predictive blockage analytics,
dynamic emergency vehicle routing and Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP),
emergency vehicle GPS and communications, and real-time traveler information through
connected vehicle technologies; and
WHEREAS, the proposed improvements are intended to reduce congestion and incident -
related delays, improve emergency response and travel -time reliability, enhance safety
and freight mobility, and maximize the performance of existing transportation
infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the proposed ATTAIN grant application has a total estimated project cost of
$4,338,085, with a federal funding request of $3,470,468 and a required 20% non-federal
match of $867,617, with the City of Dubuque responsible for the required match
associated with the portion of the project within its jurisdiction and the Illinois Department
of Transportation responsible for the required match associated with the Illinois portion of
the project; and
WHEREAS, upon completion, the City of Dubuque would be responsible for adequately
maintaining and operating the project improvements located within its jurisdiction for
public use and benefit during the useful life of the project.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
SECTION 1. The City hereby authorizes the Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation
Study (DMATS), through the East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA), to file
an application with the Federal Highway Administration and U.S. Department of
Transportation for an Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN)
Competitive Grant to assist with funding for the proposed Dubuque Smart Corridor
Initiative.
SECTION 2. The application to the Federal Highway Administration and U.S. Department
of Transportation is approved retroactively to August 11, 2026.
SECTION 3. The City Council hereby approves the required 20% non-federal funding
match for the portion of the project located within the City of Dubuque's jurisdiction,
contingent upon award of the federal ATTAIN grant funding.
Passed, approved, and adopted this 8th day of September, 2026.
Attest:
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Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk