The Nantucket County Commission voted unanimously May 23 to close the public review period and approve the draft FFY 2026–2030 Transportation Improvement Program, effective May 23, 2025, provided no objections were submitted to staff.

Staff member Mike, speaking for the county transportation office, said, “As presented last month, there are no highway projects, currently programmed in years ’26 through ’30.” He told the commission the draft TIP includes three Milestone Road projects currently in conceptual planning and a separate transit program that budgets vehicle replacements, workforce housing for transit employees and a new maintenance facility in 2027.

Why it matters: The commission’s action moves the draft TIP from public review toward formal adoption and clears the way for upcoming design work on Milestone Road. The projects discussed — a Milestone Rotary, the intersection of Milestone Road and Nobadeer Farm Road, and widening Milestone Road from the rotary to New South Road — involve state-led design steps with opportunities for local review and later public hearings.

Most important facts: Mike said a public outreach period for the draft TIP opened April 30 and was scheduled to run through May 23; staff reported 29 participants engaged in outreach and that “there have been no objections and no comments submitted.” He requested the commission close the review period effective May 23 if no objections were filed. A commissioner moved and a second was recorded; roll call recorded unanimous “aye” votes from Matt, Brooke, Joe, Mike, John, Wendy, Abby, Christina and Bert and the chair.

Discussion details: Commissioners and members of the public pressed for clarity on timing, design review and local input. Mike said design deliverables from the consultant Russell O’Neil through the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) were expected before a June or July meeting, when staff would present renderings and traffic analysis. Mike said later formal public hearings would follow; one Milestone project already went through a 25% public hearing and initial review by the local historical commission.

Commissioner Abby asked whether the projects undergo a Section 106-type historic review and was told local committee reviews and the historical commission would be part of the process, and that more detailed reviews occur as designs advance (including 75% design milestones). Several speakers urged timely follow-up from staff so they could answer residents’ questions about schedule and impacts; Commissioner John summarized the tempo, saying, “Nothing happens overnight.”

Transit program highlights: The draft five-year transit portion budgets vehicle replacements and workforce housing provided by the NRTA; it also includes an item for a new NRTA maintenance facility in 2027 plus operating and technical assistance. Staff noted a future request could ask the commission to “flex” unused highway funds to the transit program, moving federal highway dollars into transit if eligible and desired.

Next steps and timing: Staff said the TIP is not effective until Oct. 1 and that closing the public review on May 23 preserves flexibility to extend the review or revisit the draft if substantial public comment arrives. Commissioners said they would revisit the items at a future meeting if new objections or major comments are filed.

Context and background: The meeting discussion placed the Milestone projects in the context of prior state-led work on local intersections and the town’s recent experience with other large projects; staff and commissioners emphasized the multi-step design and review sequence required by state and federal processes, local committee input and later public hearings. The transit measures reflect ongoing NRTA capital and workforce needs identified in the five‑year program.

Ending: With no public comments submitted by the May 23 deadline, the commission’s unanimous vote closed the TIP public review and approved the draft under the stated condition; staff will bring design deliverables and any substantive public comments back to the commission at an upcoming meeting for further consideration.