Transportation Enhancement Implementation

The variation among states reflects an FHWA implementation approach that afforded considerable latitude to the states, and a differing attitude among the states in embracing the enhancement philosophy. Some states immediately saw the benefits that enhancements brought to their communities in terms of community oriented improvements, improvements to the state department of transportation (DOT) public image, and improved relationships with local governments and interest groups. Others resented being forced to dedicate funds to improvements they viewed as being relatively less important than more traditional highway development activities, and which they also viewed as not being the principal responsibility of the transportation program.

The implementation of transportation enhancements has been affected by the downsizing of many state departments of transportation and by the changing nature of the Federal-State relationship. Some states have solved enhancement problems either on a case-by-case basis or through streamlined procedures. Others have applied traditional business practices which bog down transportation enhancement projects in administrative procedures, and in some cases local project sponsors have given up their enhancement funding, feeling it wasn't worth the effort.

The National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 contained a number of provisions for streamlining transportation enhancements implementation:

• Section 316 provided for an advance payment option, directed the Secretary to establish environmental categorical exclusions for enhancements, and directed a number of parties to cooperate in the development of a programmatic memorandum of agreement on historic preservation issues.
• Section 315 clarified the role of conservation organizations in buying land that is subsequently used in a transportation enhancement project.
• Section 323 allowed for the crediting of private cash and in-kind contributions toward the non-Federal share on all projects, but it will be used most frequently on transportation enhancements.