Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Improvement Program Flyer

What is the transportation improvement plan?

The Boston Region MPO’s five-year capital investment plan, the TIP, is the near-term investment program for the region’s transportation system. Guided by the vision, goals, and objectives established in Destination 2050, the Long-Range Transportation Plan, the TIP prioritizes investments that preserve the current transportation system in a state of good repair, provide safe transportation for all modes, enhance livability, promote equity and sustainability, and improve mobility throughout the region.

How do I get my project funded?

Project Scoring and Selection

MPO staff evaluate project funding requests from municipalities, propose programming of projects based on anticipated funding levels, support the MPO board in developing the TIP, and facilitate a public review before the MPO board endorses the final document.

Project proponents must complete an application. Municipalities apply for funding through the MPO's investment programs. If you have questions about which program application your community should submit, contact MPO staff.

Intersection Improvements

The Intersection Improvements investment program funds projects to modernize intersection geometry and signalization to improve safety for all users. The program supports projects for single intersections and corridors.

Improvements May Include

• Modernizing existing signals, adding signals, or implementing transit signal priority
• Adding turning lanes
• Shortening crossing distances for pedestrians
• Adding or improving sidewalks, ramps, or curb cuts
• Adding or improving bicycle lanes

Intersection Improvements Scorecard

Bicycle Network and Pedestrian Connections

The Bicycle Network and Pedestrian Connections investment program funds projects to expand bicycle and pedestrian networks to improve safe access to transit, schools, employment centers, and shopping destinations.

Improvements May Include

• Constructing new off-road bicycle or shared-use paths
• Improving bicycle and pedestrian crossings
• Building new sidewalks
• Providing traffic-calming improvements or other Complete Streets upgrades
• Enhancing signage, lighting, or signals for bicycles and pedestrians

Bicycle Network and Pedestrian Connections Scorecard

Complete Streets

The Complete Streets investment program funds projects that modernize roadways to improve safety and mobility for all users.

Improvements May Include

• Providing continuous sidewalks or shared-use paths
• Providing continuous bicycle lanes, cycle tracks, or other bicycle facilities
• Updating signals at intersections along a corridor
• Improving other corridor infrastructure, such as bridges, pavement, and roadway geometry
• Adding dedicated bus lanes and other associated roadway, signal, and stop improvements
• Implementing climate resilience improvements, including stormwater management measures

Complete Streets Scorecard

Major Infrastructure

The Major Infrastructure investment program funds projects that enhance major arterials for all users and modernize or expand transit systems to increase capacity. Projects in this program cost more than $50 million; are on major roadways, including interstate highways, principal arterial freeways and expressways, or other principal arterials that have fully or partially controlled access; or add new connections to or extend the rail or fixed guideway transit network or the bus rapid transit network. MPO staff determine the major infrastructure categorization.

Improvements May Include

• Expanding or modernizing transit infrastructure, including extending rail lines or making large-scale facility or station improvements
• Implementing large-scale Complete Streets projects
• Reconstructing bridges or other critical infrastructure

Transit Transformation Program

The Transit Transformation investment program funds a wide range of transit improvements ranging from projects that expand the system to those that keep the system in a state of good repair.

Improvements May Include

• Enhancing amenities for transit customers
• Improving transit system accessibility
• Increasing capacity of transit stations and improving multimodal connectivity
• Making state-of-good-repair improvements to transit assets, including tracks, signals, and power systems
• Modernizing transit fleets through the purchase of vehicles and upgrades to maintenance facilities
• Investing in climate resilience to support the security and sustainability of transit infrastructure, including system electrification

Transit Transformation Scorecard

Community Connections Program

The Community Connections investment program funds a variety of project types, including first- and last-mile solutions and other small, nontraditional transportation projects to enhance mobility and improve air quality.

Improvements May Include

• Closing gaps in the transit network through first- and last-mile solutions and addressing needs not covered by existing fixed route transit or paratransit service, including new fixed-route shuttle operations or new or expanded microtransit service operations
• Constructing infrastructure that supports bicycling, including the installation of new bicycle lanes, bicycle racks, and bicycle shelters
• Supporting bikeshare through the purchase of new bicycles, installation of new docks, or the replacement of existing docks to maintain a state of good repair across the bikeshare system

Community Connections Scorecard

Bikeshare Support

The MPO introduced a Bikeshare Support Set-Aside line item to fund capital repair and improvement projects for bikeshare initiatives in the region starting in federal fiscal year (FFY) 2025. This line item is funded at $1 million per year for FFYs 2025 and 2026 and $2 million per year for FFYs 2027 and 2028. Bikeshare support funding will be used to fund capital costs for expansion and repair. Bikeshare support projects will be funded through the MPO's Community Connections program.

Project Design Pilot

The Project Design Pilot was created to envision, design, and deliver transformative projects for the region. The MPO has set aside $4 million in FFY 2025 to fund new project designs.

Prerequisites to Apply

• Project must be initiated in MassDOT’s MapIT tool at time of application
• Design funding is for new design projects only
• 20 percent local match required

Advocate for Projects in Your Community or Across the Region

• Connect with staff
• Submit a comment
• Attend an MPO meeting
• Invite us to your meeting or event

Questions?

Ethan Lapointe

Transportation Improvement Program Manager

elapointe@ctps.org

bostonmpo.org/tip

Welcome. Bem Vinda. Bienvenido. Akeyi. 欢迎. 歡迎

You are invited to participate in our transportation planning process, free from

discrimination. The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is

committed to nondiscrimination in all activities and complies with Title VI of the

Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color,

or national origin (including limited English proficiency). Related federal and state

nondiscrimination laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of age, sex, disability,

and additional protected characteristics. For additional information or to file a civil

rights complaint, visit bostonmpo.org/mpo_non_discrimination.

To request this information in a different language or format, please contact:

Boston Region MPO Title IV Specialist

10 Park Plaza, Suite 2150

Boston, MA 02116

Phone: 857.702.3700

Email: civilrights@ctps.org

For people with hearing or speaking difficulties, connect through the state

MassRelay service, mass.gov/massrelay. Please allow at least five business

days for your request to be fulfilled.