Welcome to the MaineDOT

The Transportation Enhancement (TE) Program is a federal/municipal match program (typically 80/20) offering a funding opportunity to help communities expand their transportation and livability choices. Project proposals must show a relationship to non-maintenance surface transportation (exclusive of aviation) while protecting the environment. Projects will be prioritized and selected for funding by MaineDOT. It is important to note that funding for this program is highly competitive. For example, in Fiscal Years 2004 and 2005, Maine had approximately $7 million in federal funds and MaineDOT received over $15 million in requests. Funding for Fiscal Years 2008 and 2009 will be even more constrained as deferments and unfulfilled requests from previous years will likely become candidates for Fiscal Years 2008 and 2009. Maine's program principally supports enhancements in connection with MaineDOT's Explore Maine, pedestrian & bicycle, environmental mitigation, and downtown revitalization initiatives that create a more enhanced transportation system focused on the community.

Eligible Categories:	Examples & Notes:
Bicycle/Pedestrian
Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities; Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety and Education Activities; Conversion of Abandoned Railway Corridors to Trails	Examples: Planning, designing and constructing multi-use trails; paved shoulders or sidewalks on minor collectors or local roads; new sidewalks on major collectors or arterials where closed drainage exists; walkways or curb ramps; bike lane striping, bike parking and bus racks. Programs designed to encourage walking and bicycling. Acquiring railroad rights-of-way for the purpose of developing rail-with-trail projects. Note: Projects proposed for this category are selected through MaineDOT's Office of Passenger Transportation; contact (207) 624-3250. For Bicycle/Pedestrian information ask for the Bike/Ped Coordinator. For recreation-only trails, contact the Bureau of Parks & Lands, Maine Department of Conservation, (207) 287-2163.
Scenic/Landscape/Historic
Acquisition of Scenic or Historic Easements and Sites; Landscaping and Scenic Beautification; Scenic or Historic Highway Programs; Rehabilitation and Operation of Historic Transportation Buildings, Structures, or Facilities; Historic Preservation	Examples: Acquisition of scenic land easements, vistas and landscapes; purchase of buildings in historic districts or historic properties; preservation of farmland. Improvements such as street furniture, lighting, public art and landscaping along streets, historic highways, trails and interstates, waterfronts, and gateways. Construction of turnouts and overlooks; designation signs and markers. Restoration of railroad depots, bus stations and lighthouses; rehabilitation of rail trestles, tunnels and bridges. Preservation of buildings in historic districts; restoration and reuse of historic buildings for transportation-related purposes.
Environmental
Mitigation of Highway Runoff Pollution and Provision of Wildlife Connectivity	Examples: Soil erosion controls; detention and sediment basins, river clean-ups; wildlife passage; wildlife mortality and safety. Note: Projects proposed for this category are selected through MaineDOT's Environmental Office; contact (207) 624-3100 for more information.
Other (low priority for funding)
Establishment of Transportation Museums	Examples: Construction of new museums or additions may include the conversion of railroad stations or historic properties to museums with transportation themes.
Archaeological Planning and Research	Examples: Research, preservation planning and interpretation.
Control and Removal of Outdoor Advertising	Examples: Billboard inventories or removal of illegal and nonconforming billboards. Note: 23 MRSA 1901-1925 limits the amount and types of outdoor advertising, therefore, this category is not funded through MaineDOT's TE Program.

For further TE Program information please contact:
Scenic Byway Coordinator
TE Coordinator
(207)624-3300 or (800)380-7822; FAX (207)624-3301; TTY (207)287-3392
planning.mainedot@maine.gov

The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) is pleased to announce its new Quality Community Program, a new name for existing programs you are probably already familiar with, such as Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School, Small Harbor Improvement Program, and various other community programs. The Department has consolidated the former individual applications into a “common” Quality Community Program application to improve overall program and project delivery, as well as to simplify application processes.

MaineDOT’s Quality Community Program includes federal and state funding opportunities to improve the quality community environment in Maine. This competitive program is intended to improve community transportation related facilities through small harbor improvements, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, safety improvements, environmental improvements, scenic, historic, and other quality community improvements. The application is due Friday, June 6th, 2008 to compete for funding available in fiscal years 2010-2011.

Enhancement Program