Federal Highway Administration wins Historic Preservation Award

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation recently presented its highest award to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for its efforts to protect historic transportation facilities around the country.

Since 1992, FHWA’s transportation enhancement program has supported more than 2,500 historic preservation and rehabilitation projects, such as restoration of lighthouses, train depots and ferry terminals, many of them converted to economic uses for local communities. FHWA is the largest single source of federal funding available to states for historic preservation.

“We are committed to preserving our historic treasures and supporting the heritage of our communities,” said Acting Federal Highway Administrator J. Richard Capka.

Surface transportation legislation signed last August by President Bush provides additional resources for transportation enhancement and historic preservation projects.

“This is truly a program where federal undertakings directly benefit local, regional and state historic preservation efforts while improving the national infrastructure,” said John L. Nau III, chairman of the ACHP, about FHWA’s transportation enhancement program.