LUBBOCK, Dec. 16, 2025 — The Lubbock Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Policy Committee on Tuesday voted unanimously to amend the draft FY2027–2030 Transportation Improvement Program to place all remaining Category 10 Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funds on a City Bus accessibility project.

Mister Lucero, LMPO staff presenting the TIP, told the committee the MPO has limited options to obligate CRP funding this cycle and that roughly $1.9 million in CRP authority must be authorized and obligated under federal deadlines tied to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. He said the only project currently able to absorb the remaining CRP money is the City of Lubbock bus project, which includes sidewalks, ADA curb ramps and bus shelters.

"We have that project listed currently underneath FY26," Lucero said, adding staff are coordinating with the city and federal partners to move funds from the Federal Highway Administration side to the Federal Transit Administration side where appropriate. He cautioned, however, that converting funding pots can take months and may not be possible within short windows.

Council member Martinez Garcia moved to authorize the remaining Category 10 CRP funds to be placed on the City Bus improvement projects as submitted; Commissioner Dolby seconded. The chair read the motion to approve the FY27–30 TIP project rankings and funding with the amendment to use all remaining CAT10 funding on the City Bus project (project listed as 5037 in the packet). The committee voted "Aye" with no opposition, and the motion carried unanimously.

Judge Parish, speaking during the discussion, clarified the amendment does not fund bus purchases: "We are not proposing to purchase any electric buses," he said. "The project is sidewalks, ADA ramps and bus shelters," he added, noting the improvements are intended to improve pedestrian access to transit lines.

Lucero said staff will publish the list of considered projects and release the draft TIP for public comment. The MPO plans to return to the committee in January with a finalized TIP for adoption and will report any adverse public comments and, if necessary, propose changes before finalizing the document.

Why it matters: Federal CRP funds have timing and obligation rules that, if missed, can result in permanent loss of the money. The committee’s amendment aims to place the funds on a shovel‑ready local project that advances transit access and compliance with federal deadlines.

Authorities and constraints cited by staff include TxDOT’s current 200% capacity policy (which can lead to reallocation of unprogrammed funds), the federal Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) program, and the Carbon Reduction Program under federal guidance tied to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Lucero warned that missing the Feb. 2 submission for Draft 1 of the TIP to state planning representatives would eliminate the MPO’s ability to obligate some CRP funds this cycle.

Next steps: The LMPO will publish the draft FY27–30 TIP for public comment, return to the committee in January for adoption, and report any public comments received before finalizing the projects and fund programming.