RICHMOND – The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) awarded $17.2 million in enhancement grants during its meeting in Richmond on Thursday, June 21, as part of the Transportation Enhancement Program.

The funding will support approximately 85 projects throughout the state such as biking and hiking trails, crosswalks, pedestrian walkways, sidewalks and streetscaping.

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) provides federal funding for community-based projects that integrate transportation into communities.

In accordance with SAFETEA-LU requirements, each state must set aside 10 percent of its federal Surface Transportation Program funds for enhancement projects.

Each year, the CTB awards this funding to selected projects based on a competitive process.

To qualify for federal funding, projects must be one of 12 designated enhancement activities:

• Bicycle and pedestrian facilities
  
  
• Bicycle and pedestrian safety and education
  
  
• Acquisition of scenic or historic easements and sites including historic battlefields
  
  
• Scenic or historic highway programs including tourist and welcome centers
  
  
• Landscaping and scenic beautification
  
  
• Historic preservation
  
  
• Rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures or facilities
  
  
• Preservation of abandoned railway corridors, including the conversion and use of the corridors for pedestrian or bicycle trails
  
  
• Inventory, control and removal of outdoor advertising
  
  
• Archaeological planning and research
  
  
• Environmental mitigation
  
  
• Establishment of transportation museums

The following Northern Virginia projects received part of the 2007 enhancement funding:

• Town of Herndon - Design and construction of streetscaping improvements along the south side of Elden Street from west of the Herndon Commerce Center to Lynn Street. Award: $200,000
  
  
• Arlington County - Design and construction of a bicycle/pedestrian bridge over Four Mile Run connecting Arlington County and the city of Alexandria. Award: $400,000
  
  
• Mason Neck Trail in Fairfax County - Construction of a multi-use trail to historic, environmental and recreational resources at Pohick Bay Regional Park. Award: $298,000
  
  
• Lorton Heritage Society in Fairfax County - Construction of a wayside on Old Colchester Road with interpretive signage and historic marker commemorating the Washington-Rochambeau march. Award: $70,000
  
  
• Loudoun County E. E. Lake General Store - Interior restoration of the historic store for use as a tourist center and bicycle/pedestrian trailhead. Award: $200,000
  
  
• Taylorstown Community Store in Loudoun County - Creation of visitor center and travel information space as part of the restoration of historic Taylorstown store. Award: $40,000
  
  
• Town of Purcellville - Streetscaping improvements in downtown including improved pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Award: $245,000
  
  
• Town of Quantico - Streetscaping improvements for Potomac Avenue. Award: $160,000

For more information on the Transportation Enhancement Program, application guidelines and to view the 2007 Final Enhancement Allocations list, visit virginiadot.org/projects/pr-enhancegrants.asp.

Page last modified: June 21, 2007