The Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP)
General Information
The Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP) is a federal reimbursement program under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), administered by the New York Department of Transportation (NYSDOT).
In recognition that transportation systems are influenced and impacted by more than the condition of the traditional highway and bridge infrastructure, this program enables funding for transportation projects of cultural, aesthetic, historic and environmental significance.
Eligible projects must fall into one or more categories established by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The categories are listed on the "What Types of Projects Are Eligible" link on this Web site. Additionally, the project must have a transportation relationship with the surface transportation system and must be available for public access and use.
This program enables many sponsors and applicants to participate. Applications for the program must be submitted by sponsors as described on the "Who Can Sponsor Enhancement Projects?" link on this Web site. The TEP requires the project sponsor or applicant to up-front the cost of the project and request reimbursement. Each project requires a minimum matching share of 20% of the total project cost. Innovative finance features are available to minimize the cash outlay for applicants and sponsors.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM PROJECT AWARDS
On January 15, 2014, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the award of approximately $67 million in funding for 63 Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP) projects. These funds are made available to New York State through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and are administered by NYSDOT. The funds cover up to 80 percent of the cost of a project, with the remaining 20 percent or more coming from the project sponsor. The funds are dedicated for strategic investments in non-motorized transportation alternatives. With the 20% local match, these projects will support a total investment of $96.5 million.
The announcement is the culmination of the TEP application round which was announced by New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald on May 2, 2013. Applications were submitted to a NYSDOT Region on or before August 16, 2013. 159 applications were determined to be eligible for review by NYSDOT, together with New York State’s 13 Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs).
This will be the last round of Transportation Enhancement Program, as the current surface transportation act, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), ended TEP as a standalone program, and created in its place the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). TAP will address many of the same kinds of non-motorized transportation needs as TEP did for the last 20-plus years. It is anticipated that a TAP application round will be announced in early 2014.
For information on the individual TEP awards, click on the appropriate link in the right-hand sidebar on this page. Winning applicants and project sponsors are encouraged to contact their respective NYSDOT Regional TEP Coordinator or Local Project Liaison for direction on how to proceed. The TEP Guidebook and related materials available through this website also will provide a useful overview of the project development process.