In 1991, the United States Congress passed the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA), a $217 billion dollar act responsible for financing much of the country's transportation infrastructure over a six-year period. Unlike previous federal transportation legislation that strongly favored investment in highway infrastructure, ISTEA encouraged investment in multiple modes of transportation, such as mass transportation and pedestrian and bicycle facilities. One of the most significant means through which ISTEA promoted balanced, multi-modal transportation was through the creation of the "Transportation Enhancements" program.

ISTEA defined 10 eligible activities. Its successor, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), expanded this list to twelve while requiring that all TE projects specifically relate to surface transportation. Most recently, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) has continued the TE program as a mandatory 10% set-aside of the Surface Transportation Program, which is implemented by the states. SAFETEA-LU expired on September 30, 2009. The TE program is currently funded through an extension of SAFETEA-LU.

The program provides funds for innovative, community-based projects to enhance the travel experience by all modes: walking, biking, taking transit, and riding in a car. Since ISTEA, the TE program has provided funding for more than 24,000 projects nationwide, helping communities protect scenic vistas, create bike paths, develop walkable downtowns and protect the environment.

RELATED DOCUMENTS*

• Enhancing America's Communities, pg. 1
• A Summary of TEA-21


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