2017-2020 TIP

The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a staged multi-year program of regional transportation improvement projects scheduled for implementation in the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) area over the next four succeeding Federal fiscal years (FY 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020). It is prepared by the MPO in accordance with joint federal metropolitan planning regulations, 23 CFR 450, issued by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA), U.S. Department of Transportation. The projects identified are prioritized by year and have been selected for funding, as jointly agreed upon by the MPO and the NHDOT.

The TIP must include all transportation projects within the MPO area proposed for federal funding under Title 23 or the Federal Transit Act, as well as any regionally significant project that will require a federal action. Federally funded transportation projects that do not appear on the TIP may not continue towards implementation. Projects listed on the TIP must be consistent with the MPO's Transportation Plan, and the TIP itself must be found to conform to the state's SIP (the State Implementation Plan for air quality attainment). Under conformity rules, "consistent with" the transportation plan is interpreted to mean that TIP projects must be specifically recommended in the Plan.

The TIP is prepared by staff of the Rockingham Planning Commission and is reviewed and endorsed by the Technical Advisory (TAC). Final TIP endorsement is received from the Planning Commission acting as the MPO Policy Committee which is the designated MPO for the Portsmouth urbanized area and a portion of the Greater Boston urbanized area in New Hampshire.

RPC 2017-2020 Transportation Improvement Program - Adopted 12/14/2016

2017-2020 TIP Submittal Letter to NHDOT - 1/12/2017

FHWA/FTA STIP/TIP Approval Letter - 2/6/2017

Development of the 2017-2020 TIP

The MPO began its TIP and MTP update process in the fall of 2014 with the development of a project selection process and criteria in conjunction with NH DOT and the other eight New Hampshire Planning Commissions. The intent was that each agency implement a common methodology for soliciting and selecting projects for inclusion in the State Ten Year Plan and through that each MPO TIP. This included the development of a common project proposal form and standardized information requirements, as well as a common set of project selection criteria. In December, 2014 RPC communities, transit agencies, and NH DOT were solicited for project proposals and asked to review existing projects listed in the MPO Plan and any projects suggested by communities during the previous two years. Projects not currently in the MPO TIP or the State 10 Year Plan would be included in the Metropolitan Transportation Plan as an identified need.

The Rockingham Planning Commission has used this opportunity to review, redefine, and if appropriate re-prioritize existing projects in the Ten Year and Long Range Transportation Plan with the goal of developing a comprehensive flow of projects from the LRTP to the Ten Year Plan and TIP. To that end, data was gathered to improve the project planning and development process. We have contacted many communities to discuss projects in the State Ten Year Plan and the response received was that the existing projects continue to be priorities.

A prioritized list of projects recommended for the Ten Year Plan was submitted to NH DOT in April, 2015 along with comments on the process and the draft document. In addition, this information was conveyed the Governor’s Advisory Council on Intermodal Transportation (GACIT) in written form as well as via testimony at GACIT hearings in September and October, 2015. The prioritized list of projects then entered the State Ten Year Plan process ultimately resulting in the addition of projects to that document and the development of the draft State Transportation Improvement Program. The full timeline for the development of the 2017-2020 TIP is listed in the table below.

2017-2020 TIP Approval Process

A 30 day public comment period was initiated on November 14, 2016 for the draft 2017-2020 TIP and update to the 2040 Long Range Plan project list and fiscal constraint. The Public Comment Period concluded on December 13, 2016 and was followed by a public hearing on December 14, 2016 at 7:00 PM at the Tuck Museum (40 Park Street) in Hampton, NH. The TIP was approved by the MPO following the close of the public hearing.

Public Notice - 30 Comment Period for the DRAFT 2017-2020 Transportation Improvement Program

DRAFT 2017-2020 Transportation Improvement Program

DRAFT 2040 Long Range Plan Project List and Financial Constraint

For information on the State Transportation Improvement Program visit the NHDOT STIP Page