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Merrimack Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization

If you need this information in another language, please contact the MVMPO Title VI/Anti-Discrimination Coordinator at 978-374-0519.
Si necesita esta información en otro idioma, comuníquese con el Coordinador contra la discriminación/Título VI de MVMPO al 978-374-0519.
Caso precise destas informações em outro idioma, entre em contato com o Coordenador de Título VI/Antidiscriminação da MVMPO pelo telefone 978-374-0519.
如果需要使用其它语言了解信息，请联系Merrimack Valley大都会规划组织（MVMPO）《民权法案》第六章协调员，电话978-374-0519.
Si w bezwen enfòmasyon nan lòt lang, tanpri kontakte Kowòdinatè Tit VI/Kont Diskriminasyon an nan 978-374-0519.
Nếu quý vị cần thông tin bằng một ngôn ngữ khác, vui lòng liên hệ Điều Phối Viên Tiêu Đề VI/Chống Phân Biệt Đối Xử của MVMPO theo số 978-374-0519.

Open Public Reviews

  • FFY2025-2029 Transportation Improvement Program Amendment #3: TIP Amendment #3 proposes an additional $33,618,406 of funding for the Basiliere Bridge project in federal fiscal year 2025. Financial details can be accessed here: FFY2025-2029 TIP Amendment #3 Financial Details. Comments will be accepted through April 16, 2025 and can be sent to [email protected].

What’s New?

MVMPO met virtually on March 26 at noon. During this meeting, the MVMPO Board:

  • Endorsed the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission MOU;
  • Endorsed FFY2025-2029 Transportaton Improvement Program (TIP) Adjustment #2;
  • Selected a Vice Chair;
  • Received an overview of a scope of work for MVMPO’s FFY2025 ferryboat planning task;
  • Reviewed the FFY2026-2030 draft TIP financial programs;
  • Reviewed draft information for the FFY2026 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP); and
  • Received information from FHWA regarding certification review.

MVMPO is scheduled to meet next on April 23, 2025 at noon. This meeting will be held virtually. An agenda with access instructions can be found here: MVMPO April 2025 Agenda

MVMPO Overview

The Merrimack Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (or MVMPO) guides regional transportation planning and determines how federal aid will be used to support regional transportation. Board members are appointed by their respective communities to support transportation planning from a regional perspective. Members of the public and transportation advocates are encouraged to follow and engage in the MVMPO’s process:

    • Share your perspective with your respective community/subregion’s appointed MVMPO board member.
    • Attend and provide comments at monthly MVMPO board meetings.
    • Attend public hearings on proposed document amendments and provide comments.
    • Reach out to directly to MVMPO staff at [email protected].

MVMPO’s Role

MVMPO programs apportioned and discretionary federal aid (i.e. obligates the use of federal funds to support local needs). Apportioned aid is made available to states by the federal government in amounts determined by formulas included in federal surface transportation legislation, the most recent being the Investment in Infrastructure and Jobs Act/Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation (BIL). Apportioned aid comprises most of the federal aid that MPOs are responsible for programming. MPOs are also responsible for programming discretionary aid—aid that is not guaranteed and often awarded to regions and municipalities through competitive grant processes—and earmarks.

To remain eligible to program available federal aid, MVMPO must produce and endorse four certification documents: the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), and a Public Participation Plan. Each document fulfills a particular purpose and can be viewed below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Federal Certification Documents be changed after they are endorsed?

Yes! Transportation planning is an evolving, continuous process. The MVMPO routinely reviews and makes decisions on adjustments and amendments to annual Unified Planning Work Programs and Transportation Improvement Programs. While less frequent, the MVMPO may also adjust or amend to the region’s Public Participation Plan and Metropolitan Transportation Plan. Changes are always reviewed at MVMPO meetings, and public comment is welcome. Depending on the scale of a proposed change, public hearings and a comment period may also be required.

Who are my MVMPO representatives and how do I contact them?

MVMPO Board members are selected consistent with the MVMPO Memorandum of Understanding. A list of the current MVMPO Board and recognized alternates can be found below. In many cases, designated alternates are more frequently involved in the representation process than the persons noted in the MOU.

MVMPO’s transportations staff can directly connect you with your board representative(s). Please contact [email protected] for further information.

MVMPO Representatives
Monica Tibbits-Nutt, Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation and CEO
Jonathan Gulliver, Massachusetts Department of Transportation Highway Division Administrator
Jerrard Whitten (Executive Director), representing Merrimack Valley Planning Commission Chairperson
Kassandra Gove (Mayor of Amesbury), Merrimack Valley Transit Advisory Board Chairperson
Melinda Barrett, Mayor of Haverhill
Brian D. De Peña, Mayor of Lawrence
Neil Harrington (Salisbury Town Manager), Region 1, Coastal Core: Amesbury, Newburyport, and Salisbury
Robert Snow (Rowley Selectperson), Region 2, Coastal Ring: Newbury, Rowley, and West Newbury
Matt Coogan (Town Administrator/CPO), Region 3, Central River: Boxford, Georgetown, Groveland, and Merrimac
Paul Materazzo (Andover, Planning Director), Region 4, Western River: Andover, Methuen, and North Andover

MVMPO Recognized Alternates
David Mohler (Director of Planning), representing Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation and CEO
Steve Woelfel (Deputy Director of Planning), representing Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation and CEO
Derek Krevat (Office of Transportation Planning Manager), rep. Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation and CEO
Brian Fallon (District Four Project Engineer), representing Massachusetts Highway Division Administrator
Jerrard Whitten (MVPC Executive Director), representing Merrimack Valley Planning Commission Chairperson
Jenifer Dunlap (MVPC Deputy Director), representing Merrimack Valley Planning Commission Chairperson
Noah Berger, (MeVa Administrator), rep. Merrimack Valley Transit Advisory Board Chairperson
Bonnie Mahoney, (MeVa Chief Compliance Officer), rep. Merrimack Valley Transit Advisory Board Chairperson
John Pettis (City Engineer), representing Mayor of Haverhill
Kathleen Lambert (Mayor’s Office), representing Mayor of Haverhill
Dan McCarthy (Planning Director), representing Mayor of Lawrence
Octavien Spanner (Senior Adviser), representing Mayor of Lawrence
Jerry Klima (Coastal Trails Coalition), representing Region 1, Coastal Core
Rebecca Oldham (Groveland Town Administrator), representing Region 3, Central Ring
Lisa Schwarz (Andover Assistant Planning Director), representing Region 4, Western River

How can I access older MVMPO documents?

Looking for a previous TIP, UPWP, long-range plan, or regional study? We can help. Please contact [email protected].

Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

The TIP programs federal aid to support transportation and transit projects over the course of a five-year horizon. Amendments are frequent in a give federal fiscal year. The links below summarize actions taken by the board and document public hearings held/notices released. Amendment financial statements can be found directly in monthly MVMPO docket materials (please see the “Other Important MVMPO Documents” tab).

Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP)

This document lays out the federally-sourced budget and work program of MVPC transportation staff.

  • FFY 2025 UPWP (current): FFY 2025 UPWP
    • Spanish Executive Summary: Español
    • Simplified Chinese Executive Summary: 简体中文
    • Haitian Creole Executive Summary: Kreyòl Ayisyen
    • Vietnamese Executive Summary: Tiếng Việt
    • FFY2025 Adjustment #1: FFY2025 Adjustment #1 proposes the removal of a portion of carryover funding that was included in the chair-endorsed MVMPO FFY2025 UPWP that was not included in the annual contract. Following the UPWP’s endorsement, MassDOT requested that a portion of the carryover be removed until later in the fiscal year, at which time MassDOT would determine whether the request for additional funds was warranted. As such, staff proposes adjustment of the UPWP per MassDOT request, reducing the amount of carryover in the budget from $155,557 to only $36,647. The revised FFY2025 financial table can be found here: FFY2025 UPWP Adjustment #1 – Revised Financial Table
Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP)
Formerly referred to as the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and Long Range Transportation Plan. This document assesses conditions and considers projects to address long-term needs and projections. The document also includes the region’s federally required congestion management plan (CMP).

Public Participation Plan (PPP)

This document details how MVMPO solicits public involvement and cooperative decision-making.

Other Important MVMPO Documents
Nondiscrimination Documentation (lays out protections for all who wish to engage with the MVMPO Board and its staff):
Congestion Management Process (establishes congestion related performance measures and strategies for mitigating congestion):
Coordinated Public Transportation Human Services Plan (discusses opportunities to improve transit for seniors, riders with disabilities, veterans, and other riders within the region and beyond): 
MVMPO Memorandum of Understanding (defines the composition and roles of MVMPO):
Local Technical Assistance
Transportation Improvement Program Scoring Criteria
Recent Meeting Materials:

Looking for older MVMPO minutes or other documents? Please contact [email protected]