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Transportation Improvement Program

The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a five-year capital plan of projects located within the region that are anticipated to receive federal aid. TIP projects for the region are separated into two elements—highway projects and transit projects—based on the federal funding program supplying the aid. Highway projects are further delineated by what that state refers to as statewide projects and regional target projects. The difference in terminology reflects what the state proposes and manages for the region versus what regional officials—typically from municipalities—sponsor and co-manage with MassDOT. The totality of programming authority for regional target projects is capped based on an apportionment formula developed by the Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies (MARPA). The MVMPO board has more direct discretion over the programming of these projects, whereas for statewide projects, the board’s discretion is limited to a simple yes or no vote for programming.

From time to time, the board may amend or adjust the TIP to address necessary changes related to projects’ costs and scopes. Per federal regulation, amendments are subject to a 21-day public comment period (advertised on MVMPO’s web site) and must be approved by the board. Adjustments do not require a comment period, but require board approval.

 

FFY2026-2030
  • Coming soon!
FFY2025-2029
  • Approved Document: FFY2025-2029 Transportation Improvement Program
  • Amendment #1 and Adjustment #1:
    • Revisions Report: FFY2025-2029 TIP Amendment #1 and Adjustment #1
    • This amendment comprises several actions
      • Newburyport – Bikeshare Pilot – Programs $180,000 over three years from FFY25-FFY27;
      • Newbury and Georgetown – Border to Boston Earmarks – Moves currently programmed earkmark funds from FFY24 to FFY25;
      • Haverhill – Basiliere Bridge – Adds $34,403,828 to the project due to revised cost estimates;
      • Haverhill – Main Street Intersection Demonstration Project – Adds $250,102 of discretionary aid per Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) award;
      • Haverhill – Columbia Park at Main Street Safety Demonstration Project – Adds $743,778 of discretionary aid per SS4A grant award;
      • Lawrence – Safety Action Plan – Adds $250,000 of discretionary aid per SS4A grant award.
      • Haverhill – Removing the Scars of Urban Renewal – Adds $565,000 of discretionary aid per Reconnecting Communities Pilot grant award.
    • This adjustment comprises two actions:
      • Vulnerable Road User Systemic Safety Projects near Bus Stops – adds regional project to the TIP.
      • Haverhill/Methuen I-495 Bridge – Reduces the project cost due to expenditures in the previous FFY.
  • Amendment #2 and Adjustment #2:
    • Revisions Report: FFY2025-2029 TIP Amendment #2 and Adjustment #2
    • This amendment proposes the addition of four discretionary awards onto the regional TIP in FFY2025:
      • Andover – SS4A Downtown Neighborhood Traffic Calming and Shared Use Path Pilot – $264,980;
      • Lawrence – Critical Crossings: Transforming Lower Tower Hill’s Intersections for Safe Streets in Lawrence – $716,250;
      • Newburyport – Newburyport SS4A – Supplementatl Safety Action Plan and Demonstration Project – $182,206; and
      • Merrimack Valley Planning Commission – Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program Grant – Reimagining Route 110 Project – $1,400,000.
    • Adjustment #2 changes the value of the contributions to bikeshare to accomodate Newburyport’s anticipated total federal aid cost share (i.e. excludes MassDOT match, thereby increasing the overal total to meet the City’s need).
  • Adjustment #3:
    • Revisions Report: FFY2025-029 TIP Adjustment #3
    • This adjustment proposes the addition of $200,000 in section 5310 grant award funding, with additional non-federal matching funds, to support Northern Essex Elder Transit’s operations.
  • Amendment #3:
    • Revisions Reports: FFY2025-2029 TIP Amendment #3
    • This amendment adds additional resources to the Haverhill Basiliere Bridge project to account for increased project estimates. As this project is on the statewide side of the highway portfolio, there are no regional target impacts  – $33,618,406.
  • Adjustment #4:
    • Revisions Report: FFY2025-2029 TIP Adjustment #4
    • Adjustment #4 proposes the addition of funds awarded to MeVa via the Community Transit Grant program (Section 5310 with non-federal matching funds).
      • $1,391,039 – seven low floor cutaway minibus vehicles for paratransit service (six for MeVa, one to be provided to the City of Newburyport); and
      • $241,672 – two standard, high-floor, minibuses for paratransit service (on to be provided to Andover and one to be provided to North Andover).
  • Amendment #4:
    • Revisions Report: FFY2025-2029 TIP Amendment #4
    • Amendment #4 proposes the addition of resources for the North Andover 114 Corridor Improvements project by $21,489,765. The additional resources support costs associated with utility agreements, additional utilities, changes to the culvert design, additional side street work, adjusted unit prices, increased drainage improvements, and additional hazmat disposal. MassDOT has agreed to fund the additional costs on the statewide side of the highway portfolio.
FFY2024-2028
  • Approved document: FFY2024-2028 Transportation Improvement Program
  • Amendment #1:
    • Revisions Report: FFY2024-2028 TIP Amendment #1 Revision Report
    • This action:
      • Reduces programmed funding in FFY24 for Salisbury – Reconstruction of Route 1 (#602202) to account for additional programmed funds in FFY23 resulting from the federal August redistribution process;
      • Programs additional funding in FFY23 for the Methuen – Intersection Improvements at Riverside Drive and Burnham Road (#610658) project to accommodate increases in material unit costs for project components; and
      • Adds design earmark funding for Newbury and Boxford (#S12862 and #S122863, respectively), which were programmed but not obligated in FFY23.
  • Amendment #2 and #3:
    • Revisions Report: FFY2024-2028 TIP Amendment #2 and Amendment #3 Revisions Report
    • This action proposes changes to the transit side of the TIP by Merrimack Valley Transit (MeVa), including:
      • Increases the number of buses being purchased from 8 to 14;
      • Adds a new project to aquire crossover SUVs to be used in paratransit service;
      • Increases budget for the McGovern Center to account for increased scope;
      • Splits the design for the admin/maintenance facility into two projects, a feasibility study and preliminary design;
      • Adds discretionary Commuity Transit Grant awards onto the TIP.
  • Amendment 4:
    • Revisions Report: See Amendment #5 below, which included an adjustment to the originally proposed totals.
    • This amendment proposes two actions, which are flexes from FHWA to FTA, including:
      • Replace 3 model year 2012 29′ Gillig and 1 model year 2012 35′ bus with 4 new 29′ buses delivered in late CY24/FY25. (Former RTA project # MVRTA 011636)
      • Additional Funding to Upgrade Replacement Purchase of six (6) year 2011 35-foot buses (Project ID # RTD0010753) from diesel to hybrid diesel.
  • Amendment #5 and Adjustment #1:
    • Revisions Report: FFY2024-2028 TIP Amendment #5 and Adjustment #1
    • This amendment proposes several actions, including:
      • 606522 – ANDOVER- LAWRENCE- BRIDGE REHABILITATION, A-09-036, I-495 OVER ST 28 (SB), A-09-037, I-495 OVER B&M AND MBTA, A-09-041, I-495 OVER ST 28 (NB): This project was fully paid for in FFY2023, but the action occurred after the release of the FFY2024-2024 TIP. The proposed action reconciles the TIP with the previous payment schedule. No further funding is necessary for this project.
      • 605304 – HAVERHILL- BRIDGE REPLACEMENT, H-12-007 & H-12-025, BRIDGE STREET (SR 125) OVER THE MERRIMACK RIVER AND THE ABANDONED B&M RR (PROPOSED BIKEWAY): This project is more commonly known as the Basiliere Bridge. The project’s advertisement schedule will be shifted two months back. As this shift occurs between federal fiscal years, the projects funding will consequently shift out of FFY24. The proposed action will adjust programming to accommodate the project’s schedule.
      • 609466 – HAVERHILL- METHUEN- BRIDGE REPLACEMENT, H-12-040=M-17-030, I-495 (NB & SB) OVER MERRIMACK RIVER AND M-17-031, I-495 (NB & SB) OVER ROUTE 110 AND H-12-056, INDUSTRIAL AVENUE (EB & WB) OVER I-495: This project requires a cost increase of approximately $87 million dollars. Due to the need to remain in fiscal constraint with federal aid program limitations, the funding programs for this project are proposed to be adjusted.
      • 607541 – GEORGETOWN- BOXFORD- BORDER TO BOSTON TRAIL, FROM GEORGETOWN ROAD TO WEST MAIN STREET (ROUTE 97): This project’s readiness determination has shifted, and as such, programming must be shifted from FFY24 to outyears. The proposed action programs funding in FFY25 instead of FFY24.
    • Adjustment #1 includes:
      • Increases in the proposed flex amounts to $2,323,000 and $2,233,000, respectively, to purchse four 29′ low floor buses and upgrade the purchase of six 35′ buses from diesel to eGen Flex Hybrid.
  • Amendment #6
  • Amendment #7 and Adjustment #2
FFY2023-2027
List of Obligated Projects (Merrimack Valley and Statewide)

TIP Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of projects are in the TIP?

Massachusetts TIPs typically contain two primary types of roadway projects: regional projects and statewide projects. Regional projects are developed by member communities in coordination with MVMPO staff. These projects are typically confined to a single municipality and tend to benefit residents, employees, and visitors who travel in or through the specific municipality. By contrast, statewide projects tend to be greater in geographic scope and/or magnitude of benefit in that they support statewide mobility or satisfy interests and goals of the state.

On the transit side, the TIP contains both capital and operating support for the region’s transit authority (MeVa) and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). Capital projects include a range of project-types, including but not limited to replacing rolling stock, preventative maintenance, and upgrading facilities. Operating projects include subsidy for operations and short-range planning support.

What does it mean to progran a project?

Programming allocates anticipated federal aid to a particular project. Fund are only obligated (i.e. encumbered for use) when a project is ready to move forward.

Can the TIP be changed or modified?

Yes! The region’s TIP can be adjusted or amended during its lifecycle by a a vote of the board in accordance with the process detailed in the region’s approved Public Participation Plan (2025).