Environmental Division
Social & Cultural Office, Historic Preservation Section
James K. Polk Building, Suite 400
505 Deaderick Street
Nashville, Tennessee 37243-0333
Phone 615.532.3488
Fax 615.532.5885
Martha Carver, Historic Preservation Program Manager
Transportation Enhancement (TE) Grants
Like its two most recent predecessors, the current national transportation bill, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act—A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA—LU) of 2005, allocates money for projects that enhance the nation's multi-modal surface transportation network. TDOT receives approximately $15 million annually from the federal government to distribute on enhancement projects awarded as grants to local recipients. In one year alone, over $3 million was awarded in grants for historic preservation projects throughout the state.
In order to qualify for TE funds, the project must qualify as one of twelve eligible activities. For historic preservation the eligible activities include:
- Historic highway programs, (rehabilitation of historic buildings for tourist centers, development of driving tours)
- Landscaping and scenic beautification (landscaping within historic districts)
- The rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures, or facilities (rehabilitation of National Register listed or eligible depots, bridges, or canals)
- Preservation of abandoned railway corridors (conversion to trails or rehabilitation of historic bridges)
- Other historic preservation related activities could include the control and removal of outdoor advertising (within a rural historic district)
For more information on using Transportation Enhancement funds for historic preservation in Tennessee link to the Historic Preservation and the Transportation Enhancement Program in Tennessee.
For more information on TDOT's Transportation Enhancement Program visit the Office of Local Programs at: www.tn.gov/tdot/local.
 The Bible Covered Bridge was bypassed during a bridge replacement project and TDOT agreed to leave it in its original location. The local government applied for TE money to restore and preserve the bridge it in place. |
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 Historic Jonesborough utilized TE funding to execute a comprehensive downtown revitalization project that enhanced the walkability of Tennessee’s oldest town while maintaining itsessential historic character. |
 TE funding was used in part to restore Rippavilla in Maury County. The 1855 plantation house serves as a museum and trailhead for a thematic historic driving tour. |
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 TE funds were used to renovate the National Register listed Union City Depot for use by the Chamber of Commerce. |
