TPO technical committee adopts FY 2026–29 TIP and air-quality conformity determination

The Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) technical committee voted Oct. 14 to approve the fiscal year 2026–29 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), the associated air-quality conformity determination and the metropolitan planning process certification and recommended those items to the TPO executive board for final action.

Craig (TPO staff) presented the final draft, saying the document is the culmination of a year of work and that comments from state and federal partners had been incorporated into the draft. He told the committee, “we would recommend approval of the TIP and again that conformity determination as well as the Metropolitan Planning Process Certification.”

The TIP programs just over $1 billion in investments for fiscal 2026–29 across 32 individual projects and seven project groupings, with TDOT-funded projects accounting for roughly 69% of the financial program, local agencies about 25% and public transportation slightly more than 5%. The committee packet and TPO website show a mix of project types: roadway widening (approximately half of programmed roadway dollars), new roads (about 19%), bike and pedestrian projects (about 9%), and operations and maintenance (about 7%).

Mike (TPO staff) explained the air-quality conformity finding, saying the TIP includes a conformity determination because the region is subject to EPA-regulated pollutants including PM2.5 and ozone and that staff used a short conformity approach tied to the region’s long-range plan, Mobility Plan 2050. He said the TPO coordinated with the Lakeway MPO to include overlapping projects and that a required Lakeway MPO resolution had been received and incorporated.

Troy Everett (Tennessee Department of Transportation) moved to approve both resolutions adopting the TIP and the planning certification; the motion was seconded and the committee chair called for public comment (the committee’s public comment period closed the same day). With no public commenters and no further questions, the committee voted in favor; the chair declared the item approved and recommended it to the executive board for final adoption on Oct. 22.

The schedule presented by staff anticipates final submission of the adopted TIP to the Federal Highway Administration for review and approval in 2026; staff cautioned that federal review timing is variable and that funds will be available after FHWA approval (projected in early 2026). Craig and staff also noted a separate resolution for the TIP and the metropolitan planning process certification and recommended a single motion to approve both as presented.

The committee also approved the minutes from its September meeting earlier in the agenda.

Looking ahead, the TPO executive board will consider final adoption Oct. 22; if approved, TPO staff will submit the final TIP to federal partners and proceed with the TIP implementation steps described in the packet.

Votes at a glance Motion: Approve FY 2026–29 Transportation Improvement Program, the associated air-quality conformity determination and the Metropolitan Planning Process Certification (two resolutions). Mover: Troy Everett (TDOT). Second: not specified in the transcript. Outcome: Approved by voice vote; meeting transcript records committee agreement and chair’s announcement that the item was approved.