How Transportation Planning Works in the Region

While most transportation improvement projects are funded with state or federal assistance, roadway projects usually begin at the local and regional levels.  Needs or deficiencies are typically identified locally and follow a long range regional metropolitan planning process that culminates with a project being constructed or implemented.  A road project must be approved by the regional Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) before it can receive any state or federal funding.

In the Merrimack Valley region, the MPO is made up of members who represent the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority, Massachusetts Highway Department, Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation, City of Haverhill and City of Lawrence. There are also four representatives from suburban and urban communities that serve on a rotating basis. Currently these MPO representatives are from Boxford, Merrimac, Andover and Methuen.

For a project to be developed and move forward, it must be included in the Merrimack Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Regional Transportation Plan. This document examines existing transportation conditions for all major modes (road, highway, bus, rail, port, bicycle, pedestrian and airport) in the region. The plan also identifies future transportation demand and needs and includes a listing of projects that are either planned or proposed over the next 25 years. This document, last updated in 2003, will be updated by the Merrimack Valley MPO in 2006. The Route 110-113 Methuen Rotary was identified in the 2003 plan as one of the four most severely congested areas in the region.

As the details (purpose, scope, budget, local support) of a proposed project get worked out, it may then be recommended for inclusion in the Merrimack Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization’s 4-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The Commission prepares a TIP each year for the Lawrence-Haverhill area. The TIP (PDF document) covers five years of programmed improvements corresponding with the federal government’s fiscal year that runs from October 1 to September 30. The Route 110-113 Methuen Rotary project is not yet on the TIP list. An outcome of this rotary study may be a recommended concept for a project that could be included on the TIP list in the future.

Any project funded through the Federal Highway Administration or Federal Transit Administration must be programmed on the Merrimack Valley MPO’s TIP listing. Without a TIP listing, Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation (EOT) and MassHighway cannot access federal funds to implement projects. Likewise, the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority can only receive funds for projects if they are listed in the TIP.

Public involvement is essential and legally required in developing and reviewing projects to be included in the TIP. Each year when a new 4-year plan is drafted, the Commission releases the document for a public comment period, holds public meetings and invites public participation. These outreach activities support federal policy for conducting “a proactive public involvement process that provides complete information, timely public notice, full public access to key decisions and supports early and continuing involvement of the public in developing plans and the TIP.”

Additional public input is provided through the Merrimack Valley Transportation Committee. Members of this group include community representatives, interest group advocates, state and federal transportation planning agency representatives, and local citizens. The meetings are held every other month and are open to the general public. Any citizen may become a member of the MVTC by attending a meeting of the committee and asking to join.

For more information contact Anthony Komornick, Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, 160 Main Street Haverhill, MA 01830, Akomornick@mvpc.org or view the Commission’s website, www.mvpc.org.

Member towns included in the Merrimack Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization are: Amesbury, Andover, Boxford, Groveland, Georgetown, Haverhill, Merrimac, Methuen, Lawrence, Newbury, Newburyport, North Andover, Rowley, Salisbury and West Newbury.