Program Purpose

The Federal Transportation Acts have provided a 10 percent set-aside from the Surface Transportation Program (STP) for the enhancement program. The purpose of the transportation enhancement program is to fund community based projects that improve the cultural, historic, aesthetic and environmental aspects of the transportation infrastructure to create a more balanced multimodal approach to mobility and accessibility. Projects must relate to surface transportation, and include at least one of the twelve (12) qualifying activities listed below:

1. Provision of facilities for pedestrians and bicycles.
2. Provision of safety and educational activities for pedestrians and bicyclists.
3. Acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites (including historic battlefields). 
4. Scenic or historic highway programs (including the provision of tourist and welcome center facilities). 
5. Landscaping and other scenic beautification. 
6. Historic preservation. 
7. Rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures, or facilities (including historic railroad facilities and canals). 
8. Preservation of abandoned railway corridors (including the conversion and use of the corridors for pedestrian or bicycle trails). 
9. Inventory control and removal of outdoor advertising. 
10. Archaeological planning and research. 
11. Environmental mitigation
• to address water pollution due to highway runoff; or
• reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality while maintaining habitat connectivity. 
12. Establishment of transportation museums.

TE funds may be used for workforce development, training, and education under 23 U.S.C. 504(e), provided the activity specifically benefits eligible TE activities.

Requirements and Distribution of Funds

RTPOs are advised to consider all 12 activities above when prioritizing projects. Each RTPO committee will utilize its own process and criteria to prioritize and select projects within their respective area.

All public agencies and non-profit organizations in Washington are eligible to apply. Only public agencies are allowed to administer projects that include design, acquisition of property, or construction. All Non-profit groups must obtain a public agency sponsor for the project. The public agency sponsor will oversee the administration of the design, acquisition of property, and construction phases and provide the certification statement at the completion of the project.

Ready to Proceed Requirement: Each selected TE project must be ready to proceed within two years of selection notification. If a selected project is unable to meet the ready to proceed requirement, its funding will be rescinded and utilized for future selections.

STIP Requirement: All selected projects must be included in the STIP, prior to federal authorization.

Federal STP Project Selection Summary Report to the Governor
Transportation Enhancement projects will need to be included, along with the STP and CMAQ projects, in the MPO/RTPO/County lead agency reports that are submitted to WSDOT annually on November 1st .