What does historic preservation have to do with transportation policy?

Transportation decisions have an enormous impact on historic sites and landscapes. Citizens, elected officials and planners need to understand how the development of transportation systems --particularly road building -- affects America's historic resources.

The National Trust has two goals for transportation policy:

1. " Protecting historic sites and landscapes during transportation planning;
2. " Promoting flexibility in planning so transportation complements, rather than threatens, community character.

Realizing these goals depends upon partnerships. Working together, historic preservationists and transportation planners can help communities balance important preservation and transportation objectives.

Below are four major elements of transportation policy central to historic preservation. Each links to a section that provides more detail, including resources for citizens who want better transportation planning.

Transportation Enhancements

• In 1991, Congress created a special fund that encouraged states to dedicate transportation money to projects that enhance the travel experience and community quality of life. Since then, states have dedicated nearly $1 billion in Federal-aid highway funds to enhancements, and may of these projects have involved historic preservation.

Historic Preservation Reviews

• Federal law requires transportation planners to consider how their projects will affect historic resources; these reviews are an essential tool for preservation.

Design Guidelines

• State transportation agencies are finding new ways to work with communities so road and bridge projects fit with the landscapes and streetscapes through which they pass.

Transportation Enhancement Reauthorization

• The 1991 federal legislation that established the transportation enhancement fund was extended in 1998 but will expire in 2003. The preservation community will be working hard to ensure that the bill is reauthorized and continues to provide support for historic preservation.