Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

In the TIP, the MPO identifies the transportation projects and strategies from the MTP that it plans to undertake over the next four years. All projects receiving federal funding must be in the TIP. The TIP is the region's way of allocating its limited transportation resources among the various capital and operating needs of the area, based on a clear set of short-term transportation priorities.

Under federal law, the TIP:

• Covers a minimum four-year period of investment;
• Is updated at least every four years;
• Is realistic in terms of available funding and is not just a "wish list" of projects. This concept is known as fiscal constraint;
• Conforms with the SIP for air quality in nonattainment and maintenance areas;
• Is approved by the MPO and the governor; and
• Is incorporated directly, without change, into the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).

Federal Guideliness for TIP Modifications and Amendments

An Administrative Modification is a minor revision to a long-range statewide or metropolitan transportation plan, Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), or Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) that includes minor changes to project/project phase costs, minor changes to funding sources of previously-included projects, and minor changes to project/project phase initiation dates. An administrative modification is a revision that does not require public review and comment, redemonstration of fiscal constraint, or a conformity determination (in nonattainment and maintenance areas).

Administrative Modification thresholds include:
1. Revisions to a project description without changing the project scope or which do not conflict with the pertinent environmental document;

2. Minor changes to project /project phase cost applying to R/W, UTIL, ENG, CONST:

• Funding changes are limited to $600,000 for projects for ≤ $3,000,000.
• For projects ≥ $3,000,000, an administrative modification is limited to budget changes of less than 20% in funding.

3. Minor changes to funding sources of previously included projects that does not effect fiscal constraint of the STIP or the ability to complete the project as initially described

4. Minor changes to project/project phase initiation dates as long as the project stays within the approved S/TIP timeframe and does not effect fiscal constraint of the STIP or the ability to complete the project as initially described. 23 CFR 450.330(a)

5. A change in the project implementing agency;

6. A split or combination of individually listed projects; as long as cost, schedule, and scope remain unchanged;

7. The addition or deletion of projects from grouped project (line item) listings as long as the line item total funding amounts stay within the guidelines in number two above.

Administrative modifications can be processed in accordance with these procedures provided that:
1. It does not affect the air quality conformity determination, including timely implementation of Transportation Control Measures (TCMs), and

2. It does not impact financial constraint of the STIP or the ability to complete the project as described.

An Amendment is a revision to a long-range statewide or metropolitan transportation plan, TIP, or STIP that involves a major change to a project included in a metropolitan transportation plan, TIP, or STIP, including the addition or deletion of a project or a major change in project cost, project/project phase initiation dates, or a major change in design concept or design scope (e.g., changing project termini or the number of through traffic lanes).

Amendments: are all other changes to STIP/TIPs that are outside of the administrative modification listed above.

Click the link below to download the PDF version of the complete Federal guidelines for TIP modifications and amendments.

FHWA TIP Amend/Modify (PDF)