What is the TIP?

The TIP is a financially constrained three-year program covering the most immediate implementation priorities for transportation projects and strategies from the metropolitan transportation plan.  It is the region’s way of allocating its limited transportation resources among the various capital and operating needs of the area, based on a clear set of short-term transportation priorities.

What role does the MPO play?

The TIP is developed and approved by the MPO and is included, without modification, in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) following approval by the Governor. The TIP can be modified at any time subject to approval of the MPO technical and policy committees.

 How is the TIP funded?

Federal funding made available through the Surface Transportation Program (STP) is transferred first to the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) then funds are allocated to the MPO in a population based formula.  The funds are allocated through the MPO for eligible transportation improvement projects.

What roads are eligible on the Mississippi Gulf Coast?

Any functionally classified road within the urbanized area is eligible for Federal funding. (see map)

 What are the funding requirements?

• Safety projects may be 100% federally funded but may not exceed 10% of the annual
  STP allocation
• Other projects are eligible for 80% federal funding

TIP Development Process

• TIP is updated every 2-years and may be amended every 6-months
• Submittal of project application
• Letter of request from Mayor, President of Board of Supervisors, or Executive Director
• GRPC recommendation of projects to be incorporated into the TIP based on a project evaluation process that reflects the MPO’s  objectives
• Public comment period for draft TIP
• Transportation Policy Committee (TPC) adoption of the TIP

 Project Evaluation Process

• Projects will be ranked by type of improvement, need, improvements to that need, and other goals satisfied
• Level of congestion and safety deficiency will be assessed
• Cost, regional significance, project match, impact to environmental justice, etc. will be considered
• Project readiness will be highly ranked
• Traffic operations projects will be highly ranked
• Projects that incorporate pedestrian facilities will be highly ranked

Policies

• All proposed projects must clearly demonstrate they help achieve   one  or more of the MPO    objectives
• Project sponsor will be held responsible for implementing project in a timely manner
• Project sponsor will submit a project status update form to GRPC at least every six months
• If project cost exceeds the initial estimate, GRPC can grant up to a 15% increase.  If the increase needed is over 15% the TPC will have to give approval.
• Projects should be consistent with the long-range plan.

Obligated Projects

• Mississippi Gulf Coast Area Listing of Obligated Projects

  Federal legislation requires that the MPO provide an annual list detailing what projects received federal transportation funds the previous year. The list, linked below, encompasses all projects for which federal funds have been obligated in the preceding year for the Mississippi Gulf Coast urbanized area. The program year follows the federal fiscal year beginning October 1 and ending September 30.  By definition an obligated project is one that has received authorization from a Federal agency. This authorization constitutes a legal commitment and obligation from the agency to pay for the Federal share of the project cost.  The obligation does not reflect the actual cost of the listed improvement. 

  
  

  Questions may be submitted via email to Kenneth Yarrow at kyarrow@grpc.com, by mail to Gulf Regional Planning Commission, 1232 Pass Road, Gulfport, MS 39501 or by phone at 228-864-1167 ext. 226.