Transportation Enhancement Program

The current highway act SAFETEA-LU is funded through FY2009. Be advised that Idaho Transportation Board approval for all TE projects programmed after FY2009 remains contingent upon the future availability of enhancement funds.

In April of 2008, the Transportation Board decided to suspend solicitation for new CMAQ projects for FY 2011-2013. Depending on future funding, the program may be reinstated.

Does your community need sidewalks or bike paths to link important destinations safely, want to create a greater sense of place with gateway landscaping, or want to preserve history and boost tourism by renovating an old train depot to house a visitor’s center or transportation museum?

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) share your interest in these projects and others that enhance the transportation experience in your area and make our communities more livable. The Transportation Enhancement (TE) program was developed to fund projects that go beyond where typical transportation projects usually stop.

The TE Program was made possible by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), reauthorized in 1998 under the Transportation Efficiency Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) and was again reauthorized in 2005 under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).

Contact Us!

Randy Kyrias

PT Administrator
randy.kyrias@itd.idaho.gov
208-334-8281

Do not hesitate to contact
Idaho’s Transportation
Enhancement Coordinators if
you have questions or need
additional assistance.

Program Overview

The Idaho TE Program is a statewide competitive program that distributes federal funds to projects that strengthen the cultural, aesthetic, or environmental value of Idaho’s surface transportation system. The eligible activities focus on improving the transportation experience in and through local communities.

Idaho Transportation Board Policy B-11-03 sets the maximum federal-aid award for a project at $500,000. In FY2009 an estimated $5.5 million in federal-aid will be awarded for projects to begin design for construction that will occur in FY2011. Enhancement funds are available only for special or additional activities not normally required on a highway or other transportation project. The funds cannot be used for routine or customary elements of construction and maintenance or for required mitigation.

THIS IS NOT A GRANT PROGRAM. The sponsor pays the costs of the project and submits a reimbursement request to the Idaho Transportation Department. Sponsors must budget for these costs.

MATCHING FUNDS ARE REQUIRED. The program match rate is 7.34%. The match requirement is best met with cash. If necessary, in-kind contributions of land, materials, or services can be used for match but must be approved by in advance. Overmatching is discouraged.

As a part of the application , the sponsor must provide a detailed cost estimate for the project and identify the source and type of matching funds. Costs in excess of the budget will be the responsibility of the sponsor.

Enhancement projects must conform to federal and state procedures and requirements for project development and contracting. These requirements include environmental protection, right-of-way acquisition, consultant selection, labor and civil rights, procurements, and various permits, certifications and clearances. A construction project is built by a third-party contractor. ITD will review the project plans and activities for compliance with its procedures and requirements.

Costs incurred on a project prior to federal approval of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and an executed agreement between ITD and the sponsor are NOT ELIGIBLE for federal-aid reimbursement nor can they be applied to the required match.