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PVPC advances TIP Scenario Two to preserve Northampton Complete Streets funding in FY27
Summary
On March 24 the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission selected Scenario Two for its 2027–31 TIP, moving the Northampton downtown Complete Streets project into FY27 to preserve advance funding and open FY26 discretionary funds for programming.
The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission voted March 24 to advance Scenario Two for the 2027–31 Transportation Improvement Program, preserving funding that would allow the Northampton downtown Complete Streets corridor to advertise in fiscal year 2027.
Staff warned the TIP faces shortfalls and uncertainty because two projects programmed in FY26 (Williamsburg Mountain Street and Northampton downtown Complete Streets) will not advertise in FY26 as originally planned, creating an $11 million hole in FY26. "That means we cannot commit funding to those projects in that year," Andy said during the scenario presentation.
Scenario Two moves the Northampton project into FY27 and opens roughly $11 million of regional discretionary money in FY26, while Scenario Three would defer Northampton to FY28. Commissioners and municipal leaders debated readiness: Northampton's mayor said test pits were underway and the city expects to be ready for FY27, while MassDOT staff flagged right‑of‑way and subsurface utility uncertainties. "There is nobody who wants this project to start more than me," one mayor said, urging the board to preserve the FY27 window.
Board members ultimately moved and seconded a motion to advance Scenario Two. A roll‑call vote recorded unanimous support among voting members present.
Staff said moving the project into FY27, while not guaranteed, would provide room to use advanced construction and other scheduling tools to mitigate cost creep; they also signaled they will return with options to use FY26 unallocated funds if necessary.
