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MDOT's Enhancement Program: It's More Than Just the Road
By Janet Foran, Michigan Department of Transportation, Office of Communications
An abandoned rail track becomes a highly used bicycle path. A mud-clogged stream converts back to clear, clean waters. An unattractive downtown street turns into an inviting, tree-lined parkway. What can accomplish these near miracles? The Michigan Transportation Enhancement Program!
Funding for the Enhancement Program was implemented by the Michigan Department of Transportation in 1993 as a result of Congress passing the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991. The program provides federal transportation funds for more than just roads. In fact, in the twelve years since the original authorization, MDOT has awarded over $202 million to 1,156 projects in communities across Michigan. The department receives between $20 and $25 million annually, which can be spent on twelve categories as specified by federal law.
Projects eligible for Enhancement Program funding must be related to transportation. In Michigan, Enhancement money represents the single largest source of public funding for historic preservation and pedestrian and bicycle trail development and is a key component in the revitalization of community business districts through downtown streetscaping projects. The program is extremely popular with communities.
Unfortunately, the need for funding far surpasses the resources of the program.
 "Requests for funding outstrip available money by 4 to 1, demonstrating the unmet demand for improvements in our communities," said Mike Eberlein, MDOT program manager. "We have a significant unfunded wish list."
The availability of federal Enhancement funding has resulted in an additional investment of $118 million in matching funds—an average match of 37 percent, almost double the 20 percent required! The high match ratio is reflective of the demand in Michigan communities for funding Enhancement projects.
Competition for the funds is fierce, but in the end, the rewards are great. In a two-year study conducted by Michigan State University, it was determined the rails-to-trails program—a frequent recipient of Enhancement money—produces economic and social benefits.
The Pere Marquette Rail-Trail in Midland, which has 22 miles of trailway for non-motorized use, was the focus of the study.
The Pere Marquette has attracted residents from outside the county who spend money in restaurants, retail shops and accommodations. The best examples of economic impact from tourism are two large special events held in Midland County that utilized the trail. The 1999 Michigander Bike Ride and the 1999 Midwest Tandem Rally event, in combination, attracted approximately 3,000 participants and some non-riders who watched the event and took in the sights.
Participants of the Michigander and their travel parties spent an estimated $207,000, excluding the event fee. There were 500 rooms rented. For the event, people spent about $233, excluding event fees.
The Tandem Rally, hosted by a local Midland cycling club, yielded a slightly higher economic impact. Rally participants spent $260,000 in conjunction with the event. Approximately 1,100 room nights were rented. People spent about $566 on the trip, including event fees.
Another way the rail-trail positively impacts the economy is through quality of life. The Pere Marquette Rail-Trail is truly a community asset that both attracts new residents, and keeps young retirees and seniors in the community. Young people use the trail to gain access to downtown and the popular skate parks. Seniors in Midland enjoy access to the Saturday morning Farmers Market. The list goes on and on.
For more information on MDOT's Transportation Enhancement Program, contact Mike Eberlein at 517-335-3040, or visit the Web site at www.michigan.gov/tea, then look under Projects and Programs.
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