CCRPC reviews proposed TIP amendment categories and 25% administrative threshold

CCRPC planner C. Forde presented proposed updates to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Amendment Policy, which staff say are intended to simplify procedures while preserving applicable federal public‑review requirements.

The proposed framework establishes three categories of TIP changes: amendments requiring a public hearing for significant new projects, standard amendments that proceed through the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) and CCRPC Board review, and administrative modifications for routine adjustments such as system maintenance projects, grants, and earmarks. "The proposed policy establishes three categories of TIP changes: amendments requiring a public hearing, standard amendments requiring TAC and Board review, and administrative modifications," staff told the committee.

Members focused discussion on a proposed 25% cost‑increase threshold that would allow administrative approval of smaller increases while routing larger increases through TAC and Board review (but not automatically to a public hearing). Staff emphasized that formal public hearings carry additional notice requirements, including newspaper publication, while routine amendments would still be publicly noticed through CCRPC meeting notices. Committee member M. Arancio said earlier discussion with FHWA reassured staff that the approach better aligns CCRPC's public engagement with federal requirements. Staff will refine the policy and return it to TAC for further review; the committee took no formal action at this meeting.