Mankato - Minn. - The Area Transportation Partnership for Mn/DOT District 7 (ATP-7) is now soliciting projects for the Transportation Enhancements program, a federally-funded program that targets projects such as trails, environmental mitigation and historical preservation that are transportation related.

The ATP - 7 is looking for projects in the fiscal years 2008-2011. They target about $1 million annually, though that can vary, and have set a maximum of $400,000 per project each year. The ATP consists of representatives from counties, cities, regional development commissions, transit agencies and Mn/DOT.

Information and applications have been mailed to cities with populations over 5,000, counties and state agencies. Individuals with a project to propose need to apply through their local government. A local match of at least 20 percent of the estimated cost of the project is required.

The 12 eligible Transportation Enhancements include:

• Provision of facilities for pedestrians and bicycles
• Provision of safety and educational activities for pedestrians and bicycles
• Acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites
• Scenic or historic highway programs
• Landscaping and other scenic beautification
• Historic preservation of a transportation related structures
• Rehabilitation and operation of historic buildings, structures, facilities
• Establishment of transportation museums
• Preservation of abandoned railroad corridors
• Control and removal of outdoor advertising
• Archaeological planning and research
• Mitigation of water pollution due to highway runoff

The deadline for proposing projects is December 31, 2006.

For more information contact Mark Scheidel at the Mn/DOT in Mankato at 507-380-6149 or 1-800-657-3747 or e-mail mark.scheidel@dot.state.mn.us.

For up-to-date statewide travel information, call 511 or log onto www.511mn.org.