Transportation Improvement Program

Each Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is required, under 49 USC. 5303(j), to develop a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Annually a list of upcoming transportation projects-covering a period of at least four years is created by MPOs. The TIP must be developed in cooperation with the state and public transit providers. The TIP should include capital and non-capital surface transportation projects, bicycle and pedestrian facilities and other transportation enhancements, Federal Lands Highway projects, and safety projects included in the State's Strategic Highway Safety Plan. The TIP should include all regionally significant projects receiving FHWA or FTA funds or for which FHWA or FTA approval is required, in addition to non-federally funded projects consistent with the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). Furthermore, the TIP must be fiscally constrained. Learn more about TIP.

To understand and evaluate the degree to which projects align with regional priorities, MPO staff score projects eligible for the TIP using a system called the Transportation Evaluation Criteria (TEC). The TEC is a systematic scoring tool that evaluates projects across 22 characteristics grouped into six categories, each corresponding to specific regional transportation goals. Projects with higher TEC scores are prioritized for funding, ensuring that limited resources are allocated to those that best support regional goals such as safety, mobility, and sustainability. On February 26, 2025, the NMMPO voted to update the TEC to improve alignment with Envision 2050, the Long Range Transportation Plan, and the Greater Lowell Vision Zero Plan. Read a summary of changes that were made to the TEC (PDF).

FFY 2026 to 2030 TIP (Effective October 1, 2025)

On May 28, 2025 the Northern Middlesex MPO endorsed the FFY 2026 to 2030 TIP, which will become effective October 1, 2025. Until that date, the NMMPO works with, and considers adjustments and amendments to, the 2025 to 2029 TIP. See the TIP and related amendments and adjustments below.

View the FFY 2026 to 2030 TIP (PDF).

TIP Amendments and Adjustments

FFY 2025 to 2029 TIP (Effective through September 30, 2025)

  1. Final Endorsed FFY 2025 to 2029 TIP Adjustment 4 (PDF)
  2. Final Endorsed FFY 2025 to 2029 TIP Adjustments 1 - 3 (PDF)
  3. Final Endorsed FFY 2025 to 2029 TIP Amendment 1 (PDF)
  4. Final Endorsed FFY 2025 to 2029 TIP Amendment 2 (PDF)
  5. Final Endorsed FFY 2025 to 2029 TIP Amendment 3 (PDF)
  6. View the FFY 2025 to 2029 TIP (PDF)

Prior TIP Reports and Amendments

FFY 2024 to 2028 TIP

  1. Federal Fiscal Year 2024 to 2028 (PDF)
  2. Final Endorsed FFY 2024 to 2028 TIP Amendment 1 (PDF)
  3. Final Endorsed FFY 2024 to 2028 TIP Amendment 2 (PDF)
  4. Final Endorsed FFY 2024 to 2028 TIP Amendment 3 (PDF)
  5. Final Endorsed FFY 2024 to 2028 TIP Amendment 4 (PDF)
  6. Final Endorsed FFY 2024 to 2028 TIP Amendment 5 (PDF)

Previous Years

  1. Federal Fiscal Year 2023 to 2027 (PDF)
  2. Federal Fiscal Year 2022 to 2026 (PDF)
  3. Federal Fiscal Year 2021 to 2025 (PDF)
  4. Federal Fiscal Year 2020 to 2024 (PDF)

State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)

When submitting a Transportation Improvement Program to the state for inclusion in the statewide program, MPOs self-certify that they have met all federal requirements. The State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) is a list of projects prepared yearly by the Office of Transportation Planning. The list includes projects such as:

  • Bicycle Paths
  • Bridges
  • Roadways
  • Sidewalks
  • Transit Investments

The STIP is a combined effort between MassDOT and many state agencies that work together to design and build highways and transit projects.

Note: The Federal Fiscal Year occurs from October 1 of one calendar year through September 30 of the next.

Federal Reporting

The MPO must publish a complete list of obligated projects within 90 days after the close of the FFY. Obligated projects are projects that have funds committed to them through the approval of a construction contract. The list includes the amount of money approved in the TIP, the total amount obligated, and the remaining balance for each project or program. The FFY 2025 Federal Obligation Report (PDF) lists the MassDOT highway and transit projects within the MPO area that spent federal funds during FFY 2024 (October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024).

FFY 2024 Federal Obligation Report (PDF) (October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024)