ATLANTA—The State Transportation Board announced the Georgia Department of Transportation is accepting applications for Transportation Enhancement (TE) projects. The TE program funds multi-use facilities such as walking and biking trails and paths; streetscaping and landscaping projects in cities and towns; historic preservation of transportation-related facilities like railroad depots; and scenic preservation of views and scenic byways.
“Over the past 20 years more than 900 projects have been selected. These projects enhance communities and improve quality of life for all Georgians,” said State Transportation Board Chairman Rudy Bowen.
The TE program is federally-funded and was originally established in 1991 by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA). The program was continued by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy For Users (SAFETEA-LU) in 2005. The Georgia DOT’s Office of Program Delivery will be accepting TE applications beginning Oct. 1 until 3 p.m. Dec. 15. The TE Application program is at http://gdot-web2.dot.state.ga.us/CTSA_LOCAL.
Up to 80 percent of the funds being used for these projects are provided by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), with the local government funding the remainder of the total project cost. The local government project sponsor is responsible for implementing the TE project and obtaining federal reimbursement from Georgia DOT.
To aid in the project selection, the Georgia DOT relies on an extensive in-house technical review and the Transportation Enhancement Advisory Panel, which was formed in 1992. The advisory panel group of professionals, representing statewide expertise in the various TE project categories, will evaluate each application and forward its recommendations to the State Transportation Board. Final selection of the funded projects will be announced in April.
In other business, the Board selected photos for the front and back cover of the 2011-12 state map. The front cover was submitted by Board Member Steve Gooch, 9th Congressional District, of the Montaluce Winery and Estates in Dahlonega. Board Member Jay Shaw, 1st Congressional
District, submitted the photo for the back cover which shows a scene from Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge near Lakeland. The new map will be available in early 2011.
The Georgia Department of Transportation is governed by the State Transportation Board. Its 13 members, representing each of the state’s congressional districts, exercise general control and supervision of the Department. Each member serves a five-year term and the terms are staggered.
Board members are elected by the state representatives and senators whose legislative districts fall within all or part of the congressional district.
Georgia is the third-fastest-growing state in the nation, yet 49th in per capita spending on transportation.
For general information on the Georgia DOT, visit the Web site www.dot.ga.gov.
