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 projects that allow communities to strengthen the local economy, improve the quality of life, enhance the travel experience for people traveling by all modes, and protect the environment. 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.

Distribution of Funds

The Transportation Enhancement Committee is appointed by the Secretary of Transportation. The committee consists of representatives from cities, counties, Indian Nations, pedestrian, bicycle, trail, historic/scenic groups, and WSDOT. The committee oversees the call for Projects and recommends projects to be funded by the Secretary of Transportation.