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Indian River County and local municipalities have participated in several previous enhancement program funding cycles, most recently in 1997. In the six years since enhancement project applications have been accepted by FDOT, several projects within the MPO area have been funded through placement in FDOT's Five Year Work Program. Attachment 1 includes a representative listing of enhancement projects that have been funded through this program. These projects include the Jungle Trail project, the Sebastian Riverfront project, the North County Recreation Route project, the Vero Beach Causeway Connector project, and the South County Recreation Route project. This is the first year since 1997 that enhancement project applications are being solicited by FDOT. In 1997, existing approved enhancement projects required all enhancement funding available, so FDOT opted not to add any enhancement projects to its Five Year Work Program during 1998. While new enhancement applications were not submitted last year, previously submitted enhancement applications are funded in FDOT's work program, and several projects are nearing construction or completion. Attachment 1 includes a representative listing of existing enhancement projects in Indian River County. This year, FDOT has informed the MPO that the estimated amount of enhancement funding available countywide in the upcoming work program cycle is approximately $240,000. Projects determined eligible for enhancement program funding will be considered for funding in FDOT's FY 2000/01-2004/05 Five Year Work Program, with funds likely to be allocated in FY 2002/03. There is no required match for this cycle of enhancement funds, but the project sponsor must commit to maintain the project. While this year's applications will exceed available funding, additional enhancement funds will be available in subsequent work program cycles to implement these projects. County staff is proposing the following 1999 enhancement project application: construction of an 8' wide sidewalk on the east side of Indian River Dr. from S. US 1 to N. US 1 in the unincorporated County. The complete application and supporting documentation for this project is on file in the Board of County Commissioners office. In submitting this application, the County must commit to maintain the sidewalk. Staff has included with this application documentation that the Public Works Department will maintain the sidewalk. In identifying and prioritizing potential enhancement projects, staff considered the following criteria: • proximity to area schools and number of schools served • project ranking in the MPO's bicycle/pedestrian plan • degree of continuity with existing bicycle/pedestrian facilities • existence of adequate right of way (ROW) Because enhancement project ROW purchases must be made in accordance with federal ROW purchase regulations, the ROW component for enhancement projects can be cost prohibitive. For that reason, FDOT has discouraged the submittal of project applications for which sufficient ROW does not exist. The County's proposed 1999 enhancement project application does not require ROW acquisition. MAY 259 1999 13 BOOK pnF r •