Transportation Enhancement Program

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

As a result of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), the focus of the federal transportation program was broadened, providing more diverse surface transportation options to help make communities more livable. One such provision of ISTEA established the transportation enhancement program, which specified that 10% of federal funds distributed to the Surface Transportation Program (STP) be dedicated to transportation enhancement activities. The program was successful in strengthening the cultural, aesthetic, and environmental aspects of the intermodal transportation system.

Since the establishment of the transportation enhancement program, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) (enacted on August 10, 2005) has broadened the funding categories for transportation enhancement projects and allowed the use of those funds for direct educational expenses for transportation workforce development, training, and education.

Although state departments of transportation are required to set aside these funds, they are not required to spend them each fiscal year. However, the funds set aside for transportation enhancements are maintained in a separate account so that any funds not obligated in one year accumulate and continue to be available for use in subsequent years.

Generally, transportation enhancement activities must be over and above normal environmental mitigation for transportation improvements and have a direct relationship to the intermodal transportation system. These projects or activities, that add community or environmental value to any active or completed transportation project, may be eligible for funding. These projects must fall into one or more of the following twelve categories:

· Provision of facilities for pedestrians and bicycles

· Provision of safety and educational activities for pedestrians and bicyclists

· Acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites (including historic battlefields)

· Scenic or historic highway programs (including the provision of tourist and welcome center facilities)

· Landscaping and other scenic beautification

· Historic preservation

· Rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures or facilities (including historic railroad facilities and canals)

· Preservation of abandoned railway corridors (including the conversion and use of the corridors for pedestrian or bicycle trails)

· Inventory, control and removal of outdoor advertising

· Archaeological planning and research

· Environmental mitigation to address water pollution due to highway runoff or reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality while maintaining habitat connectivity

· Establishment of transportation museums

State DOTs have the lead responsibility for planning and programming funds for transportation projects, including transportation enhancement activity funding, within their states. In planning for areas with populations of 50,000 or more, the state DOTs must work closely with metropolitan planning organizations. For Oahu, this is the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OahuMPO).

Each state has a different strategy for using federal funds and implementing transportation enhancement projects. Although the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) has primary responsibility for the enhancement program, it is the OahuMPO, in cooperation with the State and transit operator, which prioritizes enhancement projects on Oahu.

For a project to be considered for enhancement funds, project eligibility must first be determined through the OahuMPO’s metropolitan planning process. Project proposals must: 1) fit within one or more of the previously identified twelve categories, 2) not be a standard mitigation or maintenance project, 3) have a direct relationship to the intermodal transportation system, and 4) be consistent with the Oahu Regional Transportation Plan.

The OahuMPO will prioritize the list of Oahu projects which are determined to be eligible for enhancement funding, in whole or in part. Transportation enhancement funds are limited and may not be sufficient to fund all proposed transportation enhancement activities. Statewide, there is about $3.7 million available per year to fund enhancement projects. The list of transportation enhancement projects will be updated in conjunction with the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP); it will be a four-year list that is updated at least every three years.

Once a project is deemed eligible for transportation enhancement funds and has been prioritized by the OahuMPO, a State or County agency familiar with Federal Highway Administration requirements and practices must become a sponsor of the proposed project. The responsibilities of sponsorship include:

· Assuring that at least a 20% local match exists;

· Funding all costs of compliance with applicable State and Federal Highway Administration requirements;

· Committing the project management to an agency experienced in the use of federal surface transportation funds;

· Providing assurances that an agency will maintain the proposed improvement; and

· Receiving OahuMPO's concurrence for Oahu projects.

Oahu transportation enhancement activities are programmed for enhancement funding through the OahuMPO Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and Statewide TIP processes. HDOT is then responsible for the obligation of enhancement funds; they are the vehicle by which project sponsors receive federal reimbursement.

Transportation Enhancement Program

PROJECT PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL FORM

Transportation enhancement proposals for the island of Oahu must be submitted to the OahuMPO via mail, fax, or e-mail no later than Friday, March 2, 2007 to the address below:

Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization

Ocean View Center

707 Richards Street, , Suite 200

Honolulu, HI 96813-4623

fax: 587-2018

email: ompo001@hawaii.rr.com

The OahuMPO will initially screen proposals to verify that the submittal includes the necessary information. Incomplete proposals will not be considered. In a collaborative process with the Hawaii Department of Transportation and the City & County of Honolulu’s Department of Transportation Services, with participation by the Federal Highway Administration, the OahuMPO will determine eligibility of proposals provided. The listing of eligible projects will be prioritized by the OahuMPO. Should you have any questions about the OahuMPO Project Proposal Submittal Form, contact Marian Yasuda at 587-2015 or myasudaompo@hawaii.rr.com.

A transportation enhancement project proposal should be concise and include the following information:

1. Project name: ____________________________________________________________

2. Project description: ________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

3. Contact person and their email address, telephone number, fax number:

Name:
Mailing address:
E-mail address:
Fax number:
Fax number:

4. Describe the proposed project and its relationship to the State’s surface transportation system (be mindful that maintenance of a project is not eligible for transportation enhancement funds):

________________________________________________________________________

5. Describe the project’s purpose, benefits, contribution, and quality in terms of how it relates to the community, region, and/or island : ________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

6. Indicate which transportation enhancement activities are the primary components of the proposed project (check all that apply):

Provision of facilities for pedestrians and bicycles

Provision of safety and educational activities for pedestrians and bicyclists

Acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites (including historic battlefields)

Scenic or historic highway programs (including the provision of tourist and welcome center facilities)

Landscaping and other scenic beautification

Historic preservation

Rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures or facilities (including historic railroad facilities and canals)

Preservation of abandoned railway corridors (including the conversion and use of the corridors for pedestrian or bicycle trails)

Inventory, control and removal of outdoor advertising

Archaeological planning and research

Environmental mitigation to address water pollution due to highway runoff or reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality while maintaining habitat connectivity

Establishment of transportation museums

7. If applicable, describe any significant components of the proposed project which are not transportation enhancement activities but may be eligible for those funds:

_________________________________________________________________________

8. Explain any time constraints on project implementation: ________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

9. In total, what is the amount of transportation enhancement funds being requested for this project (Be mindful that about $3.7 million/year must be shared between transportation enhancement projects throughout the State and that this proposal is competing with other desirable proposals for transportation enhancement funds.):

_________________________________________________________________________

10. From the following list, indicate the remaining requirements for project implementation:

State or County appropriation

Project planning, environmental documentation, and/or permits

Acquisition of right-of-way, including easements

Utility agreements

Plans, specifications, and estimates ready for advertising

11. Attach a map clearly showing the project location and identifying nearby public roads.