Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program

Statewide Transportation Enhancement Project Examples
Category 7: Rehabilitation and Operation of Historic Transportation Buildings, Structures, or Facilities, including Historic Railroad Facilities and Canals.
  • Restoration of historic train depots, freight warehouses and bus stations.
  • Preservation of stage coach inns, trolleys and streetcars.
  • Rehabilitation of historic bridges and structures.
  • Historic facilities must be listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
  • All work must comply with the U.S. Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Properties of the U.S. Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Historic Preservation Projects.

Example Project #1

Project Name: Texas State Railroad Renovation, Phase 1 and 2

Location: City of Palestine and City of Rusk

Project Description:

Unique in its nature, the circa 1893 Texas State Railroad is owned by the State of Texas while operated and maintained by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). The Texas State Railroad serves as a state historical park providing the public with interpretation and education about the operation of an historic railroad. Visitors to the park have an opportunity to ride a steam train, visit with the engineer, and tour the depot. The line runs from Rusk to Palestine in East Texas' pineywoods. The railroad has been selected for Enhancement funding twice. The first project approved for funding was for the rehabilitation and replacement of nine wooden trestle railroad bridges. The second project entailed a more comprehensive rehabilitation of various sections of the line, ties, roadbed and bridges, as well as replacement of boilers on steam locomotives, some dating back to 1901. For more information about the historic railroad, visit the TPWD website.

District or Division: Tyler District

Federal Funds: (Total of two projects) $9,000,000

(click on a photo to see an enlarged version)

Passengers board the historic train Passengers board the historic train as it builds up steam to leave the Rusk station.
members of the westbound train wave a big "hello" to those on the eastbound rail At the midway point of the journey, members of the westbound train wave a big "hello" to those on the eastbound rail.
Wooden trestle bridge Funding was used to replace nine wooden trestle bridges with steel and concrete such as the one shown here.
Part of the railroad restoration includes replacing boilers Part of the railroad restoration includes replacing boilers on the old steam engines that sometimes have to be made from the boilerplates up by the staff of the park service.
New axle grease is tried out New axle grease is tried out for operation of the steel cast wheels.

Example Project #2

Project Name: Rehabilitation of Historic Santa Fe Railroad Temple Depot and Grounds

Location: City of Temple

Project Description: Completed in 1914, this depot served as the Southern Division Headquarters for the Santa Fe Railroad. The depot's exterior and interior were restored for reuse to house Amtrak, Temple's transit system, ride-to-work program and a railroad museum. Additionally, funding was approved for the city to restore the historic depot grounds to provide landscaping with native plants, pedestrian trails with amenities, lighting, fountain restoration, railroad exhibits and informational kiosks. Facilities will be ADA accommodating. The depot sits on the original depot grounds covering more than eight acres, including the historic gardens.

District or Division: Waco District

Federal Funds: (two projects) $3,342,668

(click on a photo to see an enlarged version)

The Temple Santa Fe Depot The Temple Santa Fe Depot served as the headquarters for all Santa Fe operations in the Southern United States from 1910 until 1989
The rehabilitated ticket office in the lobby Amtrak passenger tickets can still be purchased from the rehabilitated ticket office in the lobby.
The second floor space This second floor space, of the 25,000-sq.ft three-story depot, will be used for transportation museum exhibits.
The restored original lobby with marble floor and wood trim The depot, built in a synthesis of the Beaux Arts and Prairie-Style of architecture, now shows the original lobby with marble floor and wood trim.
Landscaping of nearly nine acres of grounds and historic gardens Landscaping of nearly nine acres of grounds and historic gardens will enhance the visitor's appreciation of depot's period setting.

Example Project #3

Project Name: Canadian River Wagon Bridge Renovation

Location: City of Canadian

Project Description: In 1888, a principally wooden bridge was constructed over the Canadian River. Soon following in 1916, a 2,635 feet steel bridge was constructed after the earlier wooden structure was washed away. After this second attempt to ford the river failed due to flood, a third bridge was constructed of steel in 1924, lengthening the distance spanned to 3,255 feet. This third bridge, one of the longest multiple overhead truss bridges in Texas, has been renovated for pedestrian and bicyclist use and is located just north of the City of Canadian on U.S.60/83.

District or Division: Amarillo District

Federal Funds: $605,624.79

(click on a photo to see an enlarged version)

Aerial photograph shows pedestrian trials This aerial photograph shows pedestrian trials adjacent and connecting to the bridge. 
Aerial photograph showing the historic truss bridge Aerial photograph showing the historic truss bridge, the Santa Fe Railroad Bridge, and the newer U.S. Highway 60/83 bridge crossing the Canadian River.
Historic black and white photograph of bridge Historic black and white photograph of bridge as it appeared prior to rehabilitation efforts.
Bridge deck as it appears after rehabilitation Bridge deck as it appears after rehabilitation, converting it for bicycle and pedestrian use, in 1999.

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