Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

The TIP is required under federal and state legislation, and ensures that transportation projects are meeting federal, state and regional policies, including clean air requirements.

The TIP spans a four-year period and must be updated at least every two years. After public review and comment, the TIP is approved by the PSRC’s Transportation Policy and Executive Boards before being submitted for further approvals to the state and ultimately the U.S. Department of Transportation.

In our region, a new TIP is created every two years, following the project selection process for the federal funds awarded through PSRC. The TIP accepts amendments on a monthly basis; these amendments are described in greater detail on the TIP Amendments page.

No. Most major projects are in the TIP, but not all are required to be. In order to qualify, projects must meet the following basic criteria:

• A project is using federal and/or state funds, or
• The project is funded locally AND is considered regionally significant, and
• The project’s funds are scheduled for use within the four-year time span of the current TIP.

Each project undergoes a comprehensive review by PSRC staff to ensure it meets certain requirements:

• Projects must be in, or be consistent with, the region’s long-range metropolitan transportation plan.
• Projects must demonstrate that the funds being programmed are secured or there are reasonable expectations to acquire those funds.
• If an existing or proposed roadway project is using federal funds, the roadway must also be part of the federally classified roadway system.
• Projects must be incorporated in, or exempt from, the current air quality conformity finding.

The TIP contains detailed information on each project, including the project title and description, sponsoring agency, completion year, total project cost and the amount and source of funds programmed for each phase of the project within the current timespan.