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TPO staff outlines final 10‑year plan, programming policies and CMAQ changes
Summary
TPO staff updated the technical committee on the finalized 10‑year project plan, state budget additions, contingency reserve policy (moving to 10%), CMAQ programming guidance to defer construction programming until closer to notice to proceed, and added projects including two interchanges.
Staff for the Transportation Planning Organization updated the Technical Committee on May 13 about the region’s 10‑year plan, recent state budget changes, programming policies and a schedule for the draft TIP.
Stacy Morrison, TDOT planning (presenting on behalf of state planning), summarized that the state’s approved budget added recurring and nonrecurring funds, including proceeds from a tire sales tax allocation to TDOT, which will support pavement and bridge preservation, mowing and litter programs, spot safety and expanded rural service patrols. She said the final 10‑year plan contains 96 projects after the budget changes and that 11 projects were added from the draft.
Staff highlighted two large projects newly retained in the plan: the Watt Road interchange and the Campbell Station Road interchange. Morrison noted that some large projects had been at risk of falling off earlier drafts and that local sponsors were pleased to see them return to the list.
On TPO program finances, staff reviewed revenues and proposed programming across LSTBG, TAP and carbon reduction programs. The presentation summarized estimates and constrained expenditures, noting a multi‑million dollar contingency reserve in several programs and that staff plans to set a formal contingency reserve policy at 10% (previously 9%). Morrison said that reserves above 10% could be used to add phases for projects or to allow a mid‑cycle project call if revenues materialize.
Staff also described a TDOT suggestion and a new CMAQ programming approach: design phases may be programmed earlier, while construction phases would be shown as reserves or noted as illustrative until the region is closer to construction notice to proceed. Morrison said that approach affects several CMAQ projects with construction phases currently shown in later years and gave examples including the Chapman Highway ATMS and Broadway ABC projects; Oak Ridge signal timing construction also is only a remaining phase and would be listed illustratively within a CMAQ grouping.
Staff reviewed schedule steps: assemble a draft TIP in June for TDOT review, return in July for technical review, target October adoption and expect federal approval and TIP effectiveness in January 2026. Morrison asked sponsors to review the draft programming list and to raise questions if items appeared incorrect.
Committee members discussed the TDOT funding swap that had shifted some of the region’s dollars; staff said the MOU with TDOT is signed, a tracker documents transfers, and some repayments have begun. Members requested an annual report on the swap tracking and repayments; staff said that reporting can be folded into project tracking updates.
Morrison closed by asking members to review programming handouts and contact staff with concerns; no formal action was recorded on the programming overview.
