Frequently Asked Questions

1.What are eligible construction activities for the TE program?
All projects must be surface transportation related. Proposed projects must qualify at least on one of the 12 Activities of Enhancement Projects to be eligible for federal funding.

2.Who can apply?
Anyone can apply. However, interested applicants must be sponsored by a federal, state, tribal or local government.

3.How do I apply for a project?
The first step is to contact your local Metropolitan Planning Organization or Council of Government (MPO/COG) to discuss your project. The next step is to work with one MPO/COG in filling out the Project Application.

4.When are the due dates?
Each MPO/COG has their own due dates for applications, which are usually in the summer months. ADOT requires all applications to be submitted by the MPO/COGs in early September.

5.Is there a maximum project dollar amount? A minimum?
For projects that take place on the National Highway System or within ADOT right of way (also called state projects), the federal funding cap is $943,000 dollars per project. For projects not on the National Highway System or within ADOT right-of-way (called local projects), the federal aid cap is $750,000 per project.

To get an idea of funding amounts for previous TE projects, please visit Currently Funded Projects, which contain lists of funding amounts for awarded TE projects for the current funding cycle.

6.How often can I apply?
You can apply as often as you want. However, you need to check with the MPO/COGs regarding their application procedures.

7.Can I submit more than one application?
Yes, all applications must be prepared through the local MPO/COG.

8.Do I get the money up front?
No. The TE program is a reimbursement program. Project sponsors must pay all costs and then request reimbursement expenditures as specified in the Joint Project Agreement between ADOT and the funded sponsor.

9.Is there a cash match? What other out of pocket money? 
All TE projects require a minimum of 5.7% hard cash match. For local projects, the matching funds will need to be deposited up front in an account with ADOT if an ADOT on-call consultant will be used for design development services and/or ADOT will administer construction.
Other anticipated out-of-pocket costs include but are not limited to ADOT staff reviews, overmatch, cost overruns, internal local costs for project development, and close-out that are not eligible costs included in the application.
Prior to Round 18 (2010), the sponsor was responsible for the cost of the scoping and environmental work. However, the Transportation Enhancement Review Committee revised this policy; projects awarded in Round 18 and into the future can be reimbursed for these two tasks if they so desire, once the federal funding is approved and they receive the notice to proceed from their ADOT TE project manager

10.What is the difference between a state and a local project?
At least 75% of state projects occurs on the National Highway System or within ADOT right-of-way (ROW). A local project does not occur on the National Highway System or within ADOT ROW, but rather on local city, county, and tribal land.

11.Do I have to own the land the project is on?
The answer to this question is currently pending an update. The update will be posted here when completed.

12.How do I determine who owns the ROW of the proposed project?
There are several websites that can help in the ROW delineation process. NOTE: Property owners should not be contacted about acquisition of ROW until the environmental process is complete.

• County and local property information can be obtained and accessed through each county’s web site. The State of Arizona maintains a useful interactive web map that can locate each local government.
• ADOT ROW Group provides a parcel checklist, which is used to step the sponsor through the sequence of documentation necessary in determining ROW ownership.
• ADOT ROW Group also has a presentation available online that describes the process for evaluating and properly obtaining rights using Federal funds:
• If the project proposes to use Arizona State Trust Land, ROW use is initiated by an application and is completed by the applicant. Arizona State Trust Land information can be found here.
• If the project will affect or use land directly owned by a Federal or State agency, ROW requirements or restrictions may need to be considered before developing the application for project funding. More information for Federal agencies can be found at USA.gov. Arizona state and local agencies can be found here.
• If the project involves Indian Lands, the Inter tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. maintains a list of contacts and web links to tribal governments.

13.Does the TE program pay for artwork, signage, lighting, parking, restrooms, utility undergrounding?
The TE program pays for artwork, lighting, parking, and utility undergrounding with the following conditions:

• Artwork must be an integral part of the project. Stand alone public art for it's own sake is not permitted.
• Stand-alone parking lots are not fundable. Parking areas are fundable if they are essential to the transportation facility, such as scenic overlook.
• Placing utilities underground is fundable only if it is ancillary to the project. The cost of utility work shall not exceed 25% of the federal share of the project.
• Rest rooms are not fundable except in welcome centers.

14. What types of projects would qualify as an enhancement?
All projects proposed for TE funding must have a strong and obvious transportation connection. The project must also meet one or more of the twelve federally eligible Enhancement activities described in the ADOT Transportation Enhancement Handbook. The Transportation Enhancement Review Committee also reviews each application to evaluate how the project relates to the surface transportation infrastructure of the local community, region and/or state.

Examples include:

• If a project is being considered in Activity 1 for facilities for pedestrians and bicycles, it should have elements that provide for the elimination of barriers to walking and bicycling, implementation of a continuous system of walkways, or the creation pathways and crosswalks throughout the community.
  
  The project may also improve connectivity to existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities within the community or between communities, particularly for young children, older adults, and people with disabilities or other special needs. In other words, how does the project make it more convenient, safer or desirable to reach another destination? If the community provides or receives transit services and the project improves a pedestrian and bicycle user’s relationship to transit’s services; this will be appropriate to highlight.
  
  Pedestrian and bicycle projects that enhance larger transportation projects which will resolve conflicts between users of different modes and for the direct benefit of pedestrians and bicyclists in urban, suburban, and rural environments are also eligible and encouraged actions for Activity 1 projects. Projects are discouraged from eligibility that appear to focus on improving routine maintenance problems or making spot repairs of existing pedestrian facilities.
  
  
• Projects that incorporate aesthetics and livability into improved facilities for pedestrians and bicycles are potentially eligible. Activity 5 was established for TE projects that emphasize aesthetics for pedestrians and bicyclists, primarily focusing on landscaping and site or street furniture (benches, trash receptacles, etc.) This activity includes landscape planning, design and construction projects that enhance the aesthetic or ecological resources along transportation corridors, points of access, and lands qualifying for other activities of TE activities. These improvements should be located along streets, highways, interstates, trails, waterfronts, and gateway areas.
  
  
• For a project to be eligible under Activity 6, its primary focus should be on preserving or enhancing historic preservation activities that relate to the transportation system. The project needs to show a connection to the historic environment that is of appropriate scenic value to the transportation corridor. Proximity to the transportation system alone will not qualify projects. Only outside facade renovation and necessary structural work will be considered, unless the inside is also used by the traveling public.
  
  Funding is subject to FHWA approval. Historic preservation activities may include the identification, evaluation, recording, documenting, interpreting, curating, acquisition, protection, rehabilitation, restoration and stabilization of an historic landscape, district, building, structure, object or site that is related to transportation and listed on – or eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

15.Can I use TE money for maintenance of the project after it is completed?
No. The sponsor is responsible for maintenance of the project area as it was designed.

16.Is there a timeline for project development?
Yes. The Project Timeline includes, among others, scoping, environmental clearance, final design, right of way and utility clearance. The process normally takes 36 months from the date of the TE annual workshop to bid-ready.

17.Can local government entities bid and administer their projects?
Yes, provided the entity has Certification Acceptance by ADOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). There are currently 8 jurisdictions in Arizona that have certification: City of Phoenix, City of Tucson, Maricopa County, Pima County, City of Tempe, City of Mesa, City of Scottsdale, and City of Chandler. Other entities may request to self-bid and administer their projects by submitting a written request to the TE Section Manager. Requests will be judged on a case by case basis.

18.How do you deal with cost overruns?
The agency sponsoring the project is responsible for cost overruns.

19.If a project is cancelled for unforeseen reasons can I reapply later?
Yes. Funds from cancelled projects will be placed into the state or local funding category for future awards.

20.In our pathway project, can we use enhancement funds to construct a rest area with a playground, drinking fountain, picnic tables, and restrooms?
No. Such a facility would be a park for recreational use and not transportation related. However, the installation of drinking fountains, benches or decorative seat walls, landscaping, and gateway markers that enhance the aesthetic resources of the corridor would be eligible for funding provided your pathway project is eligible for TE funds. Then these facilities are eligible for funding as a subcomponent of your larger pathway project.

21.Where can I find additional information regarding Federal requirements and guidance?
Additional Federal requirements can be found on the Links Web page of this Web site, under Federal Highway Administration.