Local Roads
Although most travel occurs on state owned roads, local roads are where residents have the most interaction with the roadway network. These roads, owned by towns and cities, are often where we live, go to school, and visit parks. However, they often face funding challenges when significant upgrades or reconstruction are needed.
LOTCIP: A State-Funded Solution
To help address funding challenges, the state legislature created the Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program (LOTCIP). This program provides state funds to the nine Councils of Governments, which allocate the money to towns and cities for major infrastructure projects.
The program was conceived to provide these funds in lieu of federal transportation funds allocated under the Surface Transportation Block Grant program for urbanized areas. Because the construction of the projects is 100% state funded, it expedites project delivery and helps to reduce up-front planning and design costs.
NVCOG's Role in LOTCIP Implementation
NVCOG collects project proposals from municipalities, ensures they align with LOTCIP goals, and reviews designs for compliance with standards and cost estimates. NVCOG also manages a financial plan to keep the program within budget.
- Program funds are allocated to planning regions based on their proportion of the state’s urban area population.
- Project eligibility is limited to local roads located on the federal aid system, local bridges, and active transportation enhancements, including sidewalks and trails.
- The design of projects is the municipal sponsor’s responsibility, and design activities are funded totally by the municipality.
- The cost to acquire property for the project is eligible for funding under LOTCIP, or the municipality may choose to acquire it using their own funds. In either case, the process to acquire any property must follow state and federal regulations.
- The LOTCIP funds will be used to pay 100% of the cost to construct the project.
Municipalities interested in LOTCIP projects should start by contacting the NVCOG staff to receive the regional pre-application. This document helps assess a project’s purpose, need, and eligibility. This preliminary review document is designed to be completed without a certified engineer.
Municipalities are encouraged to utilize their established local procedures to procure the design services, establish the fee, and execute a contract with the consultant.
Additionally, NVCOG maintains a list of prequalified engineering firms through a Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) process. If this list meets your needs, you can use it to choose a consultant. View the current list of nine firms (effective through April 2026).
For additional information on the program, including guidelines and application material, please contact the NVCOG or visit the CTDOT website.
To date, the NVCOG has committed more than $130 million to local projects throughout the region. To learn more about where these projects are planned, underway, or complete, visit the NVCOG’s EcoInteractive Project Tracker Page.
LOTCIP EcoInteractive Project Tracker
Click on any project to learn more about it specifically or choose the Interactive Map to see projects mapped throughout the region.
Click the links below to access useful resources.
Staff Contact:
Karen Svetz, P.E.
Regional Transportation Engineer
ksvetz@nvcogct.gov