Overview

The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a federally mandated program that outlines planned transportation projects and funding over a four-year period. The TIP ensures that transportation investments align with state and regional goals and priorities. 

Current TIP & Upcoming 2025-2028 TIP

The 2021 – 2024 TIP remains in place through September 30, 2024, the end of Federal Fiscal Year 2024. Interested in the upcoming 2025-2028 TIP? Check out the project page here: 2025-2028 TIP 

What is the TIP?

Every Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is responsible for maintaining a regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Authorized by 23 CFR 450, the TIP is a four-year, fiscally constrained listing of all projects using federal money within the transportation system. Established in response to pushback against the interstate highway program, the TIP is a way to ensure local support for state and federal transportation projects. As such, the board of the MPO, in our region made up of the chief elected officials of the member communities, must support a project before any federal funds can be spent.    

TIP Changes and Public Involvement

All significant changes to the TIP must be endorsed by the MPO board. Visit the NVCOG’s calendar to view agendas for upcoming MPO meetings, where TIP amendments will be discussed. Public comments are always welcome, especially regarding TIP projects and changes.  

The TIPs of all 8 MPOs across Connecticut are combined to form one Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). All projects across the state that use federal funds must be included in the STIP, so as new projects and programs are proposed the CTDOT works closely with the MPOs to add these projects to the TIP and, by extension, the STIP.   

To learn more about the STIP, visit the CTDOT’s STIP webpage. 

Since parts of Connecticut are classified as non-attainment or maintenance areas by the EPA for ambient air quality standards, projects within the TIP and STIP must be modeled regularly to ensure they do not negatively impact air quality. 

To learn more about air quality conformity and see the latest analysis, please visit the NVCOG’s Air Quality Conformity webpage.  

Federal regulations require the TIP to be financially constrained and consistent with the anticipated federal funds available to the urbanized areas. Each project listed includes the federal funding source, estimated cost for each phase of the project, and the year in which the project is programmed.  

Explore the region’s current transportation program on the  TIP EcoInteractive Project Tracker. 

The NVCOG planning region is divided into two metropolitan planning areas, requiring two separate TIPS.  

  • Central Naugatuck Valley MPO TIP: Entirely within the NVCOG region. 
  • Greater Bridgeport and Valley MPO TIP: Developed in partnership with the CT Metropolitan COG. 

Both TIPs are developed in collaboration with CTDOT, public transit operators, and member municipalities.  

Click to see the MPO map

Each year, millions of dollars of federal funds from the USDOT are obligated in support of each MPO’s transportation improvement program. The following document lists projects that received obligations in Federal Fiscal Year 2023 (October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023) through the metropolitan planning process. 

Once a project has been included in the TIP, it can be authorized for federal reimbursement. An obligation occurs after the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) or Federal Transit Administration (FTA) signs said authorization, which is a commitment to participate financially in a project. The obligation means that funds are assigned to the project and are available for reimbursement to the implementing agency.  

This annual list reflects the obligations approved for reimbursement during the federal fiscal year, so may vary slightly from the TIP. Projects not included in their planned year are either funded through alternate sources, cancelled, or changed, or moved to later years within the TIP process.  

The publication of this list of obligated projects fulfills the conditions of 23 CFR Part 450.334 requiring that MPOs publish a listing of obligated projects within their jurisdictions each federal fiscal year. To learn more about any of these obligated projects, please visit the NVCOG’s EcoInteractive Page or contact us.  

Staff Contact:

Kevin Ellis
Transportation Engineer
kellis@nvcogct.gov