Draft 2026–2030 TIP proposes multi-year highway projects and directs $177 million of transit support to Cape Cod RTA

Colleen Medeiros, transportation program manager at the Cape Cod Commission and staff to the Cape Cod Metropolitan Planning Organization, described the TIP as ‘‘the 5 year schedule of regional priority roadway transit and multimodal projects receiving federal funding’’ and said the TIP ‘‘must be be approved annually by the Cape Cod MPO. Financial constraint is required for each year, and critical decisions must be made on which projects receive funding.’’

The draft TIP covers federal fiscal years 2026–2030 and programs highway and transit projects that staff said benefit all 15 Cape Cod towns. The presenters provided per‑year highway programming summaries (figures presented by staff): about $24 million in fiscal 2026, about $28 million in 2027, about $72 million in 2028, about $38 million in 2029 and about $44 million in fiscal 2030. The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is proposed to receive approximately $177,000,000 in TIP‑programmed transit funding across the five years, the presentation stated.

Notable programmed highway projects and initiatives - Mashpee Route 151 Corridor (phase 2): continued reconstruction with shared use path and sidewalk work (funding in 2026). - Dennis/Harwich Route 28 Reconstruction: multi‑year funding to reconstruct Route 28 with multimodal improvements and a traffic signal upgrade. - Provincetown Schenk Painter Road/Route 6 intersection: reconstruction to a roundabout with complete-streets and a shared-use path. - Bourne Route 6 Scenic Highway median installation and shared use path: a multi-year safety and drainage project. - Harwich Elementary School Safe Routes to School: sidewalk and crosswalk installations. - Yarmouth Route 28 Corridor Improvement Project (new in 2029): multi-year corridor project including intersection upgrades, signals, a roundabout, bicycle lanes and a shared-use path.

The presentation also noted corridor resurfacing and culvert replacement projects (examples: Route 6 resurfacing in Barnstable and culvert replacement on Route 6A over Boat Cove Creek in Barnstable) and smaller programs such as a Cape Cod bike-rack program (approximately $100,000 proposed for towns) to support bike parking and fix-it stations.

Equity and environmental screening Presenters summarized an equity analysis showing roughly 11 projects that would have a positive impact on vulnerable populations (low-income, minority, limited English proficiency) and a greenhouse-gas analysis that identified eight projects with quantified GHG reductions; staff said additional reductions will be quantified as projects advance in design.

Transit funding priorities Staff said the RTA plans to target TIP dollars to operating assistance, new bus purchases, shelter and facility improvements and other capital needs. The presentation listed additional eligible but currently unfunded projects that the MPO could program in future years, including several rotary and corridor modernization efforts.

Public comment and next steps Presenters said the draft TIP and UPWP were released for a 14-day public comment period ending May 12, 2025, and that staff will compile comments for MPO consideration at the May 19, 2025 meeting. Staff announced in-region pop-up outreach events and encouraged submission of written comments by the deadline.