Home News Federal Highway Administration wins Chairman's Award for Federal Achievement in Historic Preservaiton

U.S. Congress, American Association of Transportation and Highway Officials, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Among Partners Honored for Transportation Enhancements Program

November 10, 2005
For Immediate Release

WASHINGTON, DC—The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) received the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) Chairman’s Award for Federal Achievement in Historic Preservation for its outstanding commitment to the aesthetic, cultural, and historic aspects of surface travel in the United States as demonstrated by its Transportation Enhancements program.

“Communities across America are using Transportation Enhancement funds to preserve their heritage, expand travel choices, strengthen local economies, and improve quality of life,” said John L. Nau, III, ACHP chairman. “Over the past 14 years, since Congress first wisely created this program, it has become the major source of federal funding for local and state historic preservation efforts.”

The award was presented at the ACHP’s fall business meeting on November 10, 2005. Other organizations, which received ACHP partnership certificates for working with FHWA to create and administer the Transportation Enhancements program, the United States Congress, the American Association of State Transportation and Highway Officials, and the Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse, a joint effort of FHWA and the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.

Fourteen years ago, there was a notable change of philosophy in the federal government’s approach to road building. Previous federal transportation legislation had strongly favored investment in highway infrastructure with insufficient regard – even disregard – for other considerations. In 1991 the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act began to find an appropriate balance by creating and funding the Transportation Enhancements program.

Each of the three transportation bills since 1991 have contained provisions for 10 percent set-asides for the Transportation Enhancements Program.  This is the largest single source of federal funding for historic preservation. The funding is provided through a partnership involving all 50 States and the U.S. territories.

For more information contact: Bruce Milhans, 202-606-8513.

About the ACHP

The ACHP, an independent Federal agency, promotes the preservation, enhancement, and productive use of the nation's historic resources and advises the President and Congress on national historic preservation policy. It also provides a forum for influencing Federal activities, programs, and policies that impact historic properties. In addition, the ACHP has a key role in carrying out the Administration's Preserve America program. Visit www.achp.gov for more information.

Learn more about the ACHP

Posted December 29, 2005

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