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TIP – Initiation and Development
OVERVIEW • DEVELOPMENT PROCESS: HIGHWAY • INITIATION AND DEVELOPMENT
PROJECT EVALUATION • AIR QUALITY CONFORMITY • PROJECT INFORMATION FORM

Transit


The selection of transit projects for the TIP draws from the project selection and development processes conducted by the transit authorities in the region. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and the Cape Ann Transportation Authority (CATA) will be joined in the selection process in thefuture by the newly established MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA).

The MPO develops its universe of transit projects for the TIP largely from the MBTA´s planning and project selection processes. The MBTA develops two documents in these processes. The Program for Mass Transportation is the MBTA´s long-range capital planning document, which lays out the major investments to a 25-year horizon. The Capital Investment Program is its rolling five-year plan, which outlines the transit system´s infrastructure needs and planned investments within this shorter time frame.

Highway


In order for any highway project to receive federal funding from the Boston Region MPO, it must first go through MassHighway´s project-initiation process. Most roadway projects begin at the local level, with the identification of a particular need or deficiency by a municipality, which then submits a MassHighway project need form (PNF) to the appropriate MassHighway district office.

If the district and the municipality agree on the parameters of the project, the district submits a project initiation form (PIF) to MassHighway´s central office. The project request is then submitted to MassHighway´s Project Review Committee (PRC) for a determination of funding eligibility and project feasibility. If the project is approved by the PRC, it is entered into MassHighway´s database of active projects and assigned to a project manager.

Details of the project initiation process can be found in chapters 1 and 2 of the MassHighway Project Development and Design Guidebook.