APC staff reports progress on draft TIP, four‑year certification review, funding and project updates; meeting date moved to March 26

TIPPECANOE COUNTY — Staff updates at the Tippecanoe County Technical Transportation Committee covered multiple planning and project-administration items: the draft Transportation Improvement Program is posted for comment, a four‑year planning certification review will be held Friday in the same room starting at 9 a.m., the cost allocation plan’s initial submission was approved by INDOT, and staff are finalizing several federal funding and letting items before an April deadline for obligated funds.

Tim (staff member) told the committee the draft TIP is posted on the APC website and that public comment will be solicited; the formal public hearing is scheduled at the Nexus and Participation Committee meeting in March. He also said the planning certification review — the four‑year federal audit of metropolitan planning organization procedures — will be held this Friday and is open to the public, with the session expected to run from about 9 a.m. until midafternoon.

Tim said the APC’s cost allocation plan was submitted in January and has received INDOT approval for that initial portion; staff will next submit a draft of the full document to INDOT for review and expect to bring the finished plan back for adoption in a few months if review goes as planned. He warned the committee there is an April milestone to ensure federal funds are allocated; staff said they believe the MPO’s records show funds are assigned but some amendments are still pending in INDOT’s systems.

Staff reported two January bid awards for various-location projects (traffic signal visibility improvements and raised pavement markings), both with low bids under the engineer’s estimate. Another set of projects on U.S. 52 and State Road 25 and several bridge projects were discussed as likely to be awarded, while one project (Ridge/ River Ridge) continues to see delays and remains scheduled for an April letting as staff seek options to bundle it with other work.

Quarterly project reports covered county and municipal projects. Highlights: Morehouse Road Phase 1 construction is complete; Morehouse Phase 2 received favorable bids that reduced construction estimates (freeing the $340,523 balance discussed separately); bridge projects continue to progress with some environmental delays affecting paired bridge lettings; a new North River Road report is in the system and will require longer processing due to required early coordination and an APA; and the Sagamore Parkway Trail contract had expired and was reissued, with the state attorney general among the final signatories still to complete the contract so staff can obligate promised additional funds.

Committee members thanked staff and agreed to coordinate follow-up meetings among city and county staff, including Doug, to align quarterly-report content with the draft TIP. The committee also voted to move the March meeting from the usual third Wednesday to Wednesday, March 26, to avoid a conflict with road school; staff will send calendar notices and post the change on APC channels. The meeting then adjourned by unanimous voice vote.