In order to qualify for a TE award, a project must qualify as one of the 12 eligible activities. It must also relate to surface transportation. A TE project must be accessible to the public, and may be a “stand-alone” project or an addition to a larger statewide project.

TE funds may not be used for routine maintenance or standard environmental mitigation, nor for TE program administrative, research and/or training costs. However, planning related to a specific project is eligible for funding. 

Each state Department of Transportation (DOT) works with a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) representative to ensure compliance with federal eligibility guidelines for TE projects, summarized in the FHWA TE Guidance.  In some cases, states may impose eligibility restrictions more stringent than those of the FHWA. 

RELATED DOCUMENTS*

• 12 eligible TE Activities - web page
• Relating to surface transportation - web page
• PDF Fact sheets describing eligibility for each of the 12 TE activities
• Federal Highway Administration Guidance on Transportation Enhancements
• TE Eligibility Particulars:  Q&A from the Guidance 
• TE Eligibility Particulars:  Q&A from the 2003 TE managers meeting


* We offer free hard copies of many publications