Hanover to gauge support for transportation enhancement

The Hanover County Board of Supervisors will have a public hearing Nov. 10 to gauge support for the federal transportation enhancement program for 2011.

The program is part of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, and it provides money for any of 12 activities that improve nonmotorized transportation, revitalize communities and improve overall quality of life.

The Virginia Department of Transportation oversees the program for the state. The activities that can be funded, among other things, include:

• bicycle and pedestrian facilities;

• bicycle and pedestrian safety and education;

• landscaping and scenic beautification;

• inventory, control and removal of outdoor advertising;

• archaeological planning and research;

• preservation of abandoned railway corridors;

• scenic or historic highway programs; and

• acquisition of scenic easements or historic sites.

The public hearing will be at 7 p.m. at the county's administration building, 7515 County Complex Road.

Hanover must apply for the grants by Dec. 1; if they are approved, they come with a 20 percent locality match. The money cannot be used for traditional highway projects or roadway improvements.

In a nutshell, said Joseph E. Vidunas, transportation engineer for Hanover, the county applies for money on behalf of organizations that need the funding. However, the Commonwealth Transportation Board decides which organizations and groups are awarded the money.

Vidunas said the Montpelier Center for Arts and Education and the Hanover Tavern have been beneficiaries and have used the money for restoration and other projects.

"Our role is pretty minimal," said Vidunas, though he added that before VDOT grants the money, the locality must pass a resolution showing support for the groups seeking the money. As of this week, Vidunas said, there are no groups seeking money, though he expects there will be by the end of the year.

Erica Jeter, VDOT program manager for the federal program, said that if organizations are approved to receive money, they are given at least 25 percent of the requested funding.

Contact Holly Prestidge at (804) 649-6945 or .