BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) has announced a “Call for Applications” for the Transportation Enhancement Program. Applications for projects to be considered for funding will be accepted between June 1, 2004, and July 31, 2004.                                                                                                       

            The Transportation Enhancement Program is a federally funded program administered through DOTD. The goal of the program is to work toward building a more balanced transportation system that includes pedestrians and bicyclists as well as the motoring public. However, projects are not limited to sidewalks and bike paths. They can include safety and educational activities for pedestrians and bicyclists, landscaping and other scenic beautification, historic preservation, acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites, preservation of abandoned railway corridors, scenic or historic highway programs including the provision of tourist and welcome center facilities, archaeological planning and research, environmental mitigation and establishment of transportation museums.                                                    

           Each application must be sponsored by a government entity that agrees to provide local oversight of the project, the required local match, manages and maintains the project, and provides legal liability for the project. Potential sponsors should be aware that this is not a grant program, but a cost-reimbursable, pay-as-you-go program. The development of an enhancement project will be a joint effort between DOTD, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the sponsor. Applications and detailed information on the Transportation Enhancement Program may be downloaded from DOTD’s web site at www.dotd.louisiana.gov . Documents may also be obtained through the mail by writing to:  Ms. Ann Wills, LaDOTD, P.O. Box 94245, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9245 or calling (225) 379-1358.

            From 1991 to 2003, DOTD has included in its program more than $89.5 million worth of projects. To date, over $31.9 million worth of projects have been completed, over $21.8 million are in various stages of construction and $35.8 million are in various stages of design. Examples include the Baton Rouge River Road Levee Bike/Ped Trail, Phase I of the I-10 East Beautification Project in New Orleans, and the Jackson Avenue Bikeway in Mandeville.

            For more information, or to request applications and guides via phone or e-mail, please contact Valerie Horton, (225) 379-1585, vhorton@dotd.louisiana.gov; or Steve Meek, (225) 379-1833, smeek@dotd.louisiana.gov.