| RELEASE: CONTACT: |
IMMEDIATE Laura Bullock 540-387-5493 saleminfo@VirginiaDOT.org |
SAL-9 July 9, 2004 |
LEARN ABOUT ENHANCEMENT GRANTS AT VDOT WORKSHOP
SALEM -- A workshop to inform citizens, community leaders and organizations about how to apply for federal Transportation Enhancement Program grants will be held July 30 starting at 10 a.m. in the auditorium of the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Salem District Office. The Salem District Office is located at 731 Harrison Ave. in Salem.
Information on the Federal Scenic Byways Program and the Virginia Byway Program also will be available at the workshop.
The Transportation Enhancement program allows choices for travel by providing federal funding for such projects as sidewalks, bike lanes and the conversion of abandoned rail corridors into trails, among many others. Some communities have used the program to restore eligible historic buildings, renew streetscapes, and open museums and visitors’ centers. The U.S. Congress first established the enhancement program in 1991.
Examples of local enhancement projects are the Huckleberry Trail in Montgomery County and the Visitor’s Center in Roanoke.
Each year, members of the Commonwealth Transportation Board allot funds to enhancement projects in these categories:
Local governments, state agencies, groups and individuals may apply for enhancement grants. Proposed projects must be endorsed by a local jurisdiction or public agency. All federal, state and local regulations and guidelines must be followed. VDOT staff provides guidance to those who receive grants in areas such as right of way acquisition, permit approvals and construction.
The next deadline for grant applications is Nov. 1. For more information about Transportation Enhancement Program grants, go to www.VirginiaDOT.org or call 1-800-444-7832.
Information on the Federal Scenic Byways Program and the Virginia Byway Program also will be available at the workshop.
The Transportation Enhancement program allows choices for travel by providing federal funding for such projects as sidewalks, bike lanes and the conversion of abandoned rail corridors into trails, among many others. Some communities have used the program to restore eligible historic buildings, renew streetscapes, and open museums and visitors’ centers. The U.S. Congress first established the enhancement program in 1991.
Examples of local enhancement projects are the Huckleberry Trail in Montgomery County and the Visitor’s Center in Roanoke.
Each year, members of the Commonwealth Transportation Board allot funds to enhancement projects in these categories:
- Bike and pedestrian facilities
- Safety and educational activities for pedestrians and bicyclists
- Acquisition of scenic easements and historic and scenic sites
- Scenic or historic highway programs
- 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 conversion to pedestrian and bike 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
- Establishment of transportation museums
Local governments, state agencies, groups and individuals may apply for enhancement grants. Proposed projects must be endorsed by a local jurisdiction or public agency. All federal, state and local regulations and guidelines must be followed. VDOT staff provides guidance to those who receive grants in areas such as right of way acquisition, permit approvals and construction.
The next deadline for grant applications is Nov. 1. For more information about Transportation Enhancement Program grants, go to www.VirginiaDOT.org or call 1-800-444-7832.
Page last modified: July 9, 2004
