This project will fund both emergencies and unanticipated capital needs that arise throughout the course of the program year. Items covered require immediate attention and cannot wait for inclusion in the budget for the forthcoming program year. Contingencies are necessary to fund emergency activities to prevent project and service delays.

This project funds various engineering responsibilities for capital projects. Project funds support the implementation of capital projects and cover the costs of Metra’s Engineering Department and consultants providing professional services. The associated professional consultant services may include design engineering and/or construction management in the areas of civil, structural, electrical, mechanical, signal, communications, and environmental engineering.

This project will provide the Mechanical Department guidance and oversight in purchasing, ensuring that Metra remains compliant with the provisions of the Federal Transit Administration's Buy America Provisions. Delays in project implementation and the need for non-Federal funding sources result from failure to comply with the Buy America provisions. Federal funding for capital projects typically includes Buy America regulations.

This project funds the activities associated with the administration of capital grants and the projects in those grants. This includes only those labor, fringe and overhead costs covered by Metra’s cost allocation plan. Examples of the types of activities associated with the administration of capital grants are budget revisions, requisitions, quarterly reports and reconciliation of expenses done at project closeout. Metra funds associated with capital grant administration are recognized as capitalized costs under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).