Pioneer Valley MPO releases Amendment 3 to TIP after major cost increases on I‑391 and Route 291 signage

The Pioneer Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization on Feb. 24 voted to release Amendment No. 3 to the federal fiscal year 2026 Transportation Improvement Program for a 21‑day public-comment period after staff detailed substantial cost increases for two projects.

Andy (PVPC staff) told the MPO the Route 291 traffic signage project increased from just under $900,000 to roughly $1.9 million because additional signs, added scope and higher unit costs for materials were included in revised plans. He also reported the Chicopee I‑391 bridge replacement (I‑391 over Route 116) rose from $148.5 million to $172.7 million, an increase of about $24.2 million, once design work advanced and project contingencies were replaced by specific line items.

Those scope and cost changes triggered a formal amendment requirement under federal TIP rules, staff said. The board voted to release the amendment for public review; the amendment will be posted for 21 days and any comments will be returned to the MPO for consideration before final action.

Several municipal officials raised concerns about escalating project costs and delivery timelines, noting that growing scopes and schedule delays make it harder for local governments to plan budgets. Staff described this pattern as common when projects move from conceptual estimates to detailed design, and said some increases stem from newly identified safety elements and updated material/unit costs.

The release for comment does not itself change project authorizations; it begins the public-review process required before the MPO may adopt final TIP amendments. Staff said the amendment allows the projects to continue toward construction while the public-comment period runs and that the MPO will consider public input at a future meeting.

Votes at the meeting were recorded by roll call. The motion to release Amendment No. 3 passed with the roll-call vote recorded during the meeting.