Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP) & Hometown Streets and Safe Routes to School Program (HSSRS)
SAP&DC’s Rural Planning Organization (RPO) conducts the Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP) and the Hometown Streets and Safe Routes to School (HSSRS) Program for Bedford, Fulton, Huntingdon, and Somerset Counties. The TEP and HSSRS allow SAP&DC to fund small transportation and recreation projects related to surface transportation.
2011 Transportation Enhancement Program and Hometown Streets and Safe Routes to School Program
The Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission (SAP&DC), in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), has awarded funds to the following projects for the 2011-2012 TEP/HSSRS Program:
- $200,000 to Somerset County for construction of a concrete arch culvert and trail extensions to carry the Great Allegheny Passage under SR2037 in Garrett Borough;
- $301,688 to Downtown Bedford, Inc. for streetscape improvements along the 100 block of West Pitt Street in Bedford Borough;
- $225,000 to Huntingdon Borough for streetscape improvements along Bryan Street in Huntingdon Borough to enhance this gateway to the J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital;
- $328,900 to Huntingdon County to rehabilitate and preserve the Saint Mary’s Covered Bridge, the only remaining covered bridge in Huntingdon County;
- $162,193 to Broad Top Township for the construction of Phase I of the development of a former railroad right of way into a rail trail for public use.
The Twelve Eligible TEP and HSSRS Program Categories
-
Provision of facilities for pedestrians and bicycles
-
Provision of safety and educational activities for pedestrian and bicyclists
-
Acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites
-
Scenic or historic highway programs (including the provision of tourist and welcome center facilities)
-
Landscaping or other scenic beautification
-
Historic preservation
-
Rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures or facilities (including historic railroad facilities and canals)
-
Preservation of abandoned railway corridors (including the conversion and use thereof for pedestrian and bicycle trails)
-
Control and removal of outdoor advertising
-
Archeological planning and research
-
Mitigation of water pollution due to highway runoff or to reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality while maintaining habitat connectivity
-
Establishment of transportation museums
What makes a great TEP/HSSRS Project?
The RPO staff works very closely with TEP/HSSRS applicants during the review process. To avoid problems with TEP/HSSRS applications, applicants should meet all of the following requirements:
-
Own the property or have a written/signed agreement with the property owner
-
Obtain current engineering cost estimates
-
Provide a copy of your non-profit status
-
Ensure that the project falls under at least one of the 12 eligible categories of projects
-
Make sure that design plans are updated and meet PennDOT specifications