Transportation Division

Transportation Enhancements (TE)

Transportation Enhancement (TE) activities offer communities funding opportunities to help expand transportation choices such as safe bicycle and pedestrian facilities, scenic routes, beautification, and other investments that increase recreation opportunities and access. Communities may also use TE funds to contribute toward the revitalization of local and regional economies by restoring historic buildings, renovating streetscapes, or providing transportation museums and visitors centers.

Only those projects that are listed in one of the 12 eligible categories will be considered for funding. The only other qualification is that a proposed project must, in some way, relate to surface transportation.

Eligible Activities
The list of qualifying TE activities provided in 23 U.S.C. 101(a)(35) is intended to be exclusive, not illustrative. That is, only those activities listed therein are eligible as TE activities. They are (links will take you to the FHWA website):

1. Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities
2. Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Education
3. Acquisition of Scenic or Historic Sites
4. Scenic or Historic Highway Programs
5. Landscaping
6. Historic Preservation
7. Rehab of Historic Transportation Facilities
8. Rail-Trails
9. Outdoor Advertising
10. Archaeological Planning and Research
11. Environmental Mitigation
12. Transportation Museums

Link to examples of all 12 eligible categories from FHWA

Many projects are a mix of elements, some on the list and some not. Only those project elements which are on the list may be counted as TE activities. For example, a rest area might include a historic site purchased and developed as an interpretive site illustrating local history. The historic site purchase and development would qualify as a transportation enhancement activity.

Activities which are not explicitly on the list may qualify if they are an integral part of a larger qualifying activity. For example, if the rehabilitation of a historic railroad station required the construction of new drainage facilities, the entire project could be considered for TE funding. Similarly, environmental analysis, project planning, design, land acquisition, and construction enhancement activities are eligible for funding.

The funded activities must be accessible to the general public or targeted to a broad segment of the general public. For the most up-to-date information concerning TE funding, please refer to the following websites, both from FHWA: General Principles & Questions for TE Projects and Specific Principles & Questions for each of the Eligible Categories.
Source: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/te/guidance.htm

KIPDA TE Contact: Mary Hauber, Transportation Planner
11520 Commonwealth Drive
Louisville, Kentucky 40299
502-266-6084
FAX 502-266-5047

Indiana TE Contact:
317-232-5496

Kentucky TE Contact: 
502-564-2060
FAX 502-564-6615
KYTC Transportation Enhancement Website
Kentucky 424 Form

Other Helpful TE Links
Helpful Funding Tips  (posted 3-01-2005, Word File, 26K)
National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse
The Federal Highway Administration Transportation Enhancement Website

Please click here to contact the KIPDA Transportation Division.