Cape Cod MPO advances draft FY2027'2031 TIP and 2027 UPWP; recommends safety equipment program

The Cape Cod MPO voted to recommend a draft slate of projects for the FY2027'2031 Transportation Improvement Program and to advance the proposed tasks and studies for the FY2027 Unified Planning Work Program.

Colleen Maderos (Cape Cod Commission staff) walked members through TIP development steps, the region's approximate $16 million annual regional allocation and the staff evaluation criteria that give heavy weight to safety and preservation. The MPO discussed candidate projects from both town proponents and state-prioritized lists; JTC recommendations include prioritizing East Harwich Route 6 corridor and Barnstable Route 132, and programming a regional safety equipment program that would fund rectangular rapid flashing beacons with a 20% local match.

Members discussed project readiness, MassDOT support (for example for Yarmouth Route 6A and Yarmouth Route 28 corridor work) and town-level safety needs such as a requested crosswalk at Thatcher Hall on Route 6A. Staff emphasized that only design-ready projects can be programmed in the advertisement year and that towns should continue design work to remain eligible for openings caused by project delays.

Separately, Dave Nolan presented the draft 2027 UPWP tasks: corridor intersection studies, a Route 6 (Dennis'Orleans) safety and crash review with time-of-day and EMS input, Vision 88 outreach and a bicycle comment tool, a bridge restrictions memo (noting about 17 bridges with height/weight restrictions in the region) and an expanded transit ridership dashboard. Members approved advancing the UPWP tasks for draft release and public comment.

Motions to recommend the draft TIP slate (moved by Liz Argo, seconded by Doug Brown) and to advance the UPWP tasks (moved by Kevin Galligan, seconded by Liz Argo) passed by roll-call votes. Staff will draft TIP and UPWP documents for public review and return to the MPO for final action.