The MVPC prepares a 4-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) each year as part of the ongoing transportation planning process in the Merrimack Valley and the Lawrence-Haverhill urbanized area. The TIP is based on a four-year period of programming projects. Each year corresponds with the federal fiscal year that runs from October 1 through September 30.
Any transportation project funded through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), or the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) must be listed in the Merrimack Valley MPO's TIP. Without such a listing, Federal Highway funds cannot be expended by the Massachusetts Highway Department (MassHighway) on local or State projects. Similarly, the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA) can only receive funds for projects listed in the TIP.
In addition to listing projects, SAFETEA-LU requires the TIP to:
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Conform to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) for Air Quality in accordance with the Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA), giving special consideration to "regionally significant" projects
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Demonstrate fiscal constraint for all projects listed in the TIP
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Estimate future funding sources for operating and maintaining the current transportation network as well as the costs of capital improvements
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Present the status of projects from the previous TIP
The TIP, containing all of this information, is available for viewing at the MVPC, copies can be made and mailed for a fee, or in pdf format:
Final FY 2011-2014 Transportation Improvement Program as Amended through 8-24-10
Final FY 2010-2013 Transportation Improvement Program as Amended through 8-24-10
Project Initiation Process
A highway project in the region must be approved for funding by the MassHighway before it can receive any federal or state money. In order to receive this approval, communities submit project proposals to MassHighway District 4. MassHighway District 4 then submits the proposals to the Project Review Committee at MassHighway in Boston. This committee will review, and either deny or approve the project.
Project Funding
Approval of a project by the MassHighway Project Review Committee does not constitute a commitment of funds. MassHighway decides whether to fund a project in a given year by considering such factors as cost, availability of money in the project's funding program, project status (how far along the project is in the design process), and the project's priority.
