The Transportation Enhancements (TE) Program offers funding opportunities to expand transportation choices and enhance the transportation experience through small, community-based activities related to surface transportation. TE activities are federally funded projects that expand travel options by enhancing the transportation infrastructure through cultural, historic, aesthetic and environmental improvements. TE projects must fall under one of twelve (12) eligible categories and must relate to surface transportation.
The SEDA-COG Rural Planning Organization (RPO) helps to administer the TE Program for the following eight counties: Clinton, Columbia, Juniata, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union. PennDOT allowed SEDA-COG RPO to open up a new round for TE applications and funding award during 2011. Nine applications were submitted for consideration. Three Central Pennsylvania communities will receive federal TE funds for downtown beautification projects. A total of $818,978 in FFY 2011 funds was awarded through the SEDA-COG Rural Planning Organization (RPO) and PennDOT.
TE funds were awarded to the following:
• Town of Bloomsburg ─ $368,000 for Phase V of its downtown beautification project, which includes period style street lights on a portion of East Street, tree planting, and sidewalk replacement.
• Mifflin County ─ $260,033 for Phase 3B of the Monument Square Streetscape Project in Lewistown. Trees will be planted and sidewalks installed, as well as lighting, and ADA (Americans with Disability Act) compliant curbs to improve pedestrian safety.
• Lewisburg Borough ─ $190,945 for Phase II of the Market Street Enhancement Project, including construction of bulb-outs (a type of curb extension), improved pedestrian signalization, landscaping, and improved pedestrian crossing markings.
Those interested in learning more about the TE Program should review the below documents and pay close attention to the 2011 TE Program schedule and requirements for funding consideration.
Twelve Eligible TE Project Categories2011 TE Program GuidanceAnswers to Questions Posed During the Pre-application Workshop
Pre-application Workshop Presentation
Pre-application Informational Workshop Flyer