The Transportation Improvement Program is the most important way that local elected officials set the direction of federal transportation spending. Every federal dollar to be spent on transportation related items must be endorsed by the MPO board, ensuring that communities support the projects that occur within their borders.
Authorized by 23 CFR 450, the TIP is a fiscally constrained listing of all projects using federal dollars over a four year period. The current TIPs for both the CNVMPO and GBVMPO run from federal fiscal years 2025-2028, meaning they end in October of 2027. The next TIP, which covers federal fiscal years 2027-2030 will begin on October 1st, 2026, and will shortly be available for the public to review and comment before the MPO boards act to endorse them.
At their core, MPOs exist to ensure that federal transportation investments align with the goals and desires of local communities. By placing the decision making on federal spending into the hands of local elected officials, it is possible to ensure better outcomes for communities and regions, giving everyone a say in the transportation network.
Key features and aspects of a Transportation Improvement Plan include:
Project Listings: The TIP includes a detailed list of transportation projects that are proposed for implementation during the specified timeframe. These projects can range from road construction and maintenance to public transit enhancements, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and other transportation-related initiatives.
Financial Information: The TIP provides information about the funding sources for each project, including federal, state, and local funds. It ensures that the proposed projects are financially feasible and can be implemented within the available budget constraints.
Performance Based Planning: Projects listed in the TIP are selected using a performance-based method, including factors such as safety, congestion relief, environmental impact, and economic development. This prioritization helps allocate limited resources to the most critical transportation needs.
Public Involvement: The development of the TIP involves public input to gather feedback and perspectives from the community. This ensures that the MPO board can make decisions informed by resident beliefs and needs and ensures a transportation network that works for all.
Environmental Considerations: Before the TIP is reviewed by the MPO board, the CTDOT models the projects in the TIP to ensure that any air quality non-attainment areas are not negatively impacted.
Updates: Over the course of the TIP, it is regularly updated and changed to reflect the needs of the region and state. To ensure that local communities still have their say in projects, all new projects, removed projects, or those whose budgets increase by a significant amount must be approved by the MPO board. This process, known as TIP Amendments, also provides an opportunity for the public to review and comment on any projects prior to their adoption.
The 2027-2030 TIPs have been under development for nearly a year, a collaborative effort between Connecticut’s MPOs, the CTDOT, FTA, and FHWA. This effort has resulted in final project lists that reflect ongoing efforts, regional priorities, and fiscal constraint.
Once the lists were finalized, the CTDOT began the process of modeling for air quality conformity. Since the NVCOG is covered by several air quality non-attainment areas, it is important that all projects do not increase pollutant emissions, but ideally contribute to reducing pollution from the transportation system. The Air Quality Conformity Determination, linked in the TIP and Related Documents Tab, shows the expected improvement to below federal emission maximums, based on the projects programmed in the TIP and STIP.
Following the completion of Air Quality Conformity, the TIP, STIP, and related documents are all available for public review and comment. Between April 1, 2026 and May 15, 2026 there will be many opportunities for the public to share comments, feedback, and questions about the TIP, STIP, and related documents, all further detailed on the Share Your Thoughts Tab
Before the boards of the CNVMPO and GBVMPO adopt their respective TIPs, we want to provide as much opportunity for the public to learn more, ask questions, and share thoughts as possible.
For the CNVMPO:
- April 1, 2026 – Join us at the NVCOG’c Transportation Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC) meeting to hear a presentation on the TIP and share any thoughts or questions.
- April 17, 2026 – Provide comments or questions at the regularly scheduled CNVMPO meeting. A dedicated public comment period will be held for the TIP and Air Quality Conformity.
- April 30, 2026 – A special meeting will take place at 6 PM, both virtually and in the NVCOG offices, to present the new TIP, Air Quality conformity, and additional details about the process. Questions and comments will be accepted at this meeting.
- May 15, 2026 – The CNVMPO will consider adoption of the new TIP. A dedicated public comment and question period will be held at the beginning of the meeting.
Between April 1 and May 15, comments can also be shared via:
- Email – Comments can be sent to the NVCOG via email at rdonovan@nvcogct.gov
- Public Comment Form – Submit public comments for the CNVMPO meetings at https://forms.office.com/r/3ffRjqDdMK
- Telephone – NVCOG offices are open Monday-Friday between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, please call (203) 757-0535
- Mail – Comments can be sent directly to NVCOG, C/O Rich Donovan, at 49 Leavenworth Street, 3rd Floor, Waterbury, CT 06702
For the GBVMPO
An update to the GBVMPO schedule will be posted soon. Check back here or at the MetroCOG website for updates.
All documents related to the CNVMPO and GBVMPO TIPs will be posted here. Additionally, materials for the STIP, which covers the full state, are linked below.
CNVMPO
Draft 2027-2030 CNVMPO TIP – The draft TIP narrative includes information about how the TIP is developed and maintained, the way fiscal constraint is calculated, and how the selected projects advance the region’s goals and federal performance measures.
TIP Project Listing – The listing of all projects that happen entirely or partially within the CNVMPO Region. This list is also available in an interactive format via the EcoInteractive portal.
GBVMPO
In the coming weeks, the draft GBVMPO TIP will be posted here.
Statewide
The Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) – The Draft STIP Narrative is the combination of all of the TIPs across the state, providing a comprehensive view of all federal dollars expected to be spent in the next four years.
STIP Project Listing – The listing of all projects happening across the state over the period of the STIP.
Air Quality Conformity Determination – The Air Quality Conformity Determination Report, completed by CTDOT for the 2023-2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plans and the 2027-2030 TIP, includes information about the conformity process, CTDOT’s modeling technique, and demonstrates conformity with EPA limits for air pollutants from the transportation System.
Safety Project List – This list includes all statewide projects addressing roadway safety performance measures.
Bridge Project List – This list includes projects that impact bridge condition and management across the state.
Have questions? They may be answered here already. If not, let us know using any of the means under the Share Your Thoughts tab.
What is the TIP?
The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is the fiscally-constrained listing of all projects using federal dollars over a four-year period. The TIP is specific to an MPO, where the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) covers the entire state.
Why does the TIP matter?
The TIP is the way to ensure local priorities and goals are reflected in federal transportation spending. As the regional planning agency, the NVCOG always aims to ensure that projects benefit residents and visitors to our region, and the TIP is one of the primary ways local officials can ensure that happens.
I have a project idea. How do I let someone know?
The NVCOG is always looking for feedback on the transportation network in our region, and we love to get ideas from residents and visitors who use our roads, trails, and transit every day. Please email your ideas to us at contactus@nvcogct.gov.
What types of projects are included in the TIP?
Any project that uses federal money must be included within the TIP. This includes road, transit, and trail construction, as well as operating costs. It also includes programs like transportation demand management, or CTrides here in Connecticut, and similar programs that use federal money to support the work of the COGs, transit districts, and CTDOT.
The TIP is too technical for me to meaningfully comment; how am I supposed to know what I’m looking at?
The TIP is an inherently technical document, so we want to provide as many opportunities for the public to understand the programmed projects as possible. If you want to learn how to read the TIP spreadsheet and technical data, watch the recording of the March 7 public meeting on the NVCOG YouTube Page. Want to better understand the projects that are included in the TIP? Take a look at the descriptions and status info on nvcog.ecointeractive.com.
Staff Contact
Rich Donovan
Transportation Planning Director
rdonovan@nvcogct.gov