The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) passed
in 1991, created the Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP).
ISTEA
required that 10% of federal funds distributed to states through the
Surface Transportation Program be dedicated to transportation
enhancements. TEP is not a grant program, rather projects are undertaken
by project sponsors, and eligible costs are reimbursed.
The TEP funds projects that are related to the transportation system but
are beyond what is normally provided in transportation projects.SPONSORSHIP
The sponsor must be willing to:
- provide any funding match that may be required;
- enter into any required maintenance agreements with the
Department; and/or
- support other actions necessary to fully implement the proposed
project.
The sponsor is usually the organization that owns and/or operated the
completed project. Applications for funding may be developed by
incorporated non-profit groups such as a historic preservation society,
for example. All applications, however, must have a sponsor as
previously described.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Eligible projects must fit into one of twelve categories:
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety and Education Activities
- Acquisition of Scenic or Historic Easements and Sites
- Scenic or Historic Highway Programs, Including Tourist and
Welcome Centers
- Landscaping and Scenic Beautification
- Historic Preservation
- Rehabilitation and Operation of Historic Transportation
Buildings, Structures, or Facilities
- Preservation of Abandoned Railway Corridors
- Control and Removal of Outdoor Advertising
- Archaeological Planning and Research
- Mitigation of Highway Runoff and Provision of Wildlife
Connectivity
- Establishment of Transportation Museums
APPLICATION
Each year the MPO reviews new applications for possible funding in
the last year of the new five-year transportation plan. Because of the
number of previously approved projects, funding for new approved
projects is usually not available for 5-6 years.
Applications for TEP projects are prioritized by the MPO Governing
Board and sent to FDOT for funding. TEP projects are also reviewed by
the MPO’s CTAC, BPAC and TARC. |