MPO opens 10‑day reviews for TIP and MTP amendments, adopts TxDOT pavement and bridge targets and authorizes TA call

The Laredo Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Policy Committee on March 25 opened two 10‑day public review periods for proposed changes to its capital programs, adopted a resolution supporting Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) pavement and bridge performance targets for fiscal year 2025, and authorized a 2025 call for projects under the MPO’s Transportation Alternatives (TA) set‑aside program.

Graciela Briones, MPO staff, told the committee the two proposed program amendments are a TxDOT‑requested revision to project limits for CSJ 001806185 (direct connectors at the I‑35/US 59 interchange) and a revision to an El Metro transit project description to add “support vehicle” to the list of eligible purchases. Briones said the MPO’s public participation plan requires a 10‑day public review and comment period for TIP amendments and matching changes in the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP).

Why it matters: TIP and MTP amendments change the formal project descriptions and limits that govern how federal and state transportation funds are programmed in the region; opening the public comment periods starts the formal process required before the amendments can be adopted.

Details on the TIP and MTP amendments - TIP amendment: TxDOT requested the limit revision for project CSJ 001806185 (the remaining direct connectors at the I‑35/US 59 interchange). Briones said the amendment revises the project limits from the previously listed locations to the proposed limits described in the staff presentation. The committee opened the 10‑day public comment period for that amendment. - MTP amendment: MPO staff said the MTP must match changes made to the TIP. The same project (CSJ 001806185) appears in a table in the MPO’s 2025–2050 MTP; staff asked the committee to open a 10‑day review period to reflect the revised limits in the MTP.

Transit item: El Metro requested a minor change to a transit project description (federal funding category 5339) to add “support vehicle” to an existing description that already listed heavy‑duty bus replacements and bus facility improvements. Briones said that change is administrative but requires the same public‑review step.

TxDOT targets: The committee considered Resolution MPO2025‑03 to adopt and support TxDOT’s FY25 pavement and bridge performance measures and targets. MPO staff said TxDOT adjusted a four‑year target for the percentage of interstate and National Highway System pavements in poor condition from 1.5% to 2.5%; the MPO’s previous adoption was in 2023. The committee voted to adopt the resolution and continue supporting TxDOT’s targets.

Transportation Alternatives (TA) call for projects: The committee authorized a 2025 call for projects for the MPO’s TA set‑aside program (federal Surface Transportation Block Grant set‑aside under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law). MPO staff summarized eligibility and funding rules: - TA funds are federal funds provided on a reimbursement basis (not upfront grants). - Federal share: 80%; minimum local match: 20% (project sponsor provides the match). - Funds available for obligation generally must be used within three years. - Staff presented proposed per‑project caps for applications: planning/development studies — up to $150,000 (federal); design and construction — up to $1,250,000 (federal); construction‑only — up to $1,000,000 (federal). Staff said these are maximums per project and do not guarantee full award of the MPO’s available balance. - Staff noted available federal TA funds for the 2026–2028 period were presented on the slide deck and that the federal amounts do not include the required local match. The committee approved initiating the call for projects and the proposed guideline caps.

Committee action and procedure: For each of the program items above the committee made motions, seconded the motions and the motions passed. MPO staff and committee members emphasized the public‑review requirement and that MTP entries must match TIP project descriptions.

Next steps: The TIP and MTP amendments will be posted for the 10‑day public review and comment period. After the comment period closes, staff will bring any comments and the final revisions back to the MPO Policy Committee for formal adoption if needed. The TA call for projects will proceed under the funding limits and guidelines the committee approved.

Attribution: The presentation and explanations of the TIP and MTP amendments and the TA program were given by Graciela Briones, MPO staff. The resolution supporting TxDOT targets was presented by MPO staff and supported by the committee.