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Transportation Enhancements Funding
In 1991, Congress created a special fund to encourage states to dedicate transportation money to projects that enhance local communities. In the legislation -- normally referred to as ISTEA -- that established that fund, Congress listed specific activities (see below) as "transportation enhancements." Since 1991, states have dedicated nearly $1 billion in Federal-aid highway funds to thousands of transportation-related historic preservation projects; historic resources have also benefited from enhancement money for landscaping, land acquisition, historic bridge and road activities, and streetscapes in historic commercial districts.
In 1998, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) re-authorized the transportation enhancements program through 2003. Under TEA-21, transportation enhancements include the following:
- 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
- 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 railroad facilities and canals)
- Preservation of abandoned railroad corridors (including the conversion and use thereof for pedestrian and bicycle trails)
- 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
For more information on transportation enhancements funding, download "Building on the Past, Traveling to the Future", a free guide prepared by the National Trust and the Federal Highway Administration (provided below), or visit the National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse online - link is provided below.
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