The transportation enhancement program was established by federal legislation to fund activities that enhance the transportation experience. Generally, these activities or projects add community or environmental value to any active or completed transportation project, and are over and above what is required for normal environmental mitigation for transportation improvements. Transportation enhancement funds may be used for planning, design, and construction of eligible projects. The maintenance of these projects is not eligible for those funds.
Transportation enhancement projects must fall into one or more of the following 12 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
