TRANSPORTATION
IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM
2021-2024
INTRODUCTION
LVTS PARTNERS
LVTS COMMITTEES
LANGUAGE TRANSLATIONS
What is the Transportation Improvement Program?
The 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a four-year financial plan for Lehigh and Northampton counties, developed by the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study (LVTS). The 2021-2024 TIP consists of approximately $451.8 million that will be invested into priority transportation programs, construction projects or studies.
How is the Budget Created?
Roughly 80% of TIP funding comes through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) with the remaining 20% coming from Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and/or local sources. The amount the Lehigh Valley gets is primarily set by PennDOT and FHWA, based on population, vehicle miles traveled and need among other federally designated factors. Once the amount is set, the LVTS works to develop a program designed to serve the region’s needs, while following the policies of FutureLV: The Regional Plan and federal regulatory requirements. The need is always greater than the money available and the TIP, by federal law, can only budget money that is reasonably expected to come to the region. The TIP is regulated under the United States Code 49 U.S.C. 5303(j) and authorized under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act).
Federal regulations require that the TIP shall:
Cover a period of at least
Consist of projects from FutureLV: The Regional Plan, the locally developed transportation plan
Reflect the area's transportation needs and priorities
Include realistic cost and revenue estimates for all projects
3 YEARS
Include all highway and transit projects to be funded with federal money
How Projects are Selected
For a project to receive funding in the 2021-2024 TIP, it must meet a long list of state and federal guidelines for traffic safety, air quality and environmental justice. It also must align with the vision of FutureLV: The Regional Plan, and its 25-year Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). A core concept of FutureLV is Centers and Corridors, a long-range transportation investment plan that directs redevelopment, reuse and new construction to 57 economic and housing activity Centers around the Lehigh Valley and along the Corridors that connect them. Transportation project investments are then targeted to be consistent with that concept and must be identified in FutureLV before they can be programmed in the TIP.
These steps were implemented during the project selection process:
The TIP is a constantly evolving program that changes as project costs and schedules adjust. By federal statute the program is what’s known as “fiscally constrained”, which means that the total cost of the projects on the TIP cannot exceed the money expected to be received by the LVTS. When costs increase for one project, the money often has to come from another, just as savings on a particular project can be moved into one that needs more money.
Nearly 89% ($267,454,921) of the total funding for roadway and bridge projects or multimodal non-transit programs included in the 2021-2024 TIP ($302,119,706), carried forward from previous 2019-2022 TIP. Managing the flow of money is equally as important as managing the project schedule. Because the four-year TIP is updated every two years, the final two years of one program serves as the first two years of the next program.
This funding strategy addresses high-priority transportation needs and is designed to promote a modern, efficient transportation network. The TIP is critical to the economic and social future of the region, targeting infrastructure investments that support a vibrant, inclusive, resilient and growing Lehigh Valley.
TIP DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE
1. JULY 16, 2019
PennDOT issues Financial Guidance documents to Planning Partners for developing the 2021-2024 TIP
2. DECEMBER 29, 2019
PennDOT Connects/Local Government Collaboration meetings completed for carryover and new potential TIP projects
3. JANUARY 8, 2020
LVTS develops draft TIP for PennDOT coordination
4. MARCH 12, 2020
Interagency air quality and environmental justice consultation initiated
5. MARCH 14, 2020
Interagency air quality consultations are concluded and air quality conformity analysis begins
6. APRIL 10, 2020
LVTS and PennDOT complete air quality conformity and environmental justice analysis
7. MAY 18, 2020
Public comment period begins
8. MAY 20, 27, JUNE 3, 2020
Virtual public meetings on draft TIP due to Covid-19 Pandemic
9. JUNE 3, 2020
Public meeting on draft TIP at LVPC Joint Technical and Coordinating Committee Meeting
10. JUNE 16, 2020
Public comment period ends
11. JULY 15, 2020
LVTS proposed adpotion of TIP
12. AUGUST 2020
PennDOT scheduled to submit statewide TIP to Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)/Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for review and approval
13. SEPTEMBER 2020
Anticipated approval from FHWA and FTA of the 2019 TIP program
MEETING COMMUNITY OBJECTIVES
Performance-Based Planning
The 2021-2024 TIP will be the first in the region that’s based on three new federally set performance measures designed to reduce injuries, save lives and better manage maintenance of the region’s transportation network.
One set of measures prescribed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and adopted by the LVTS in January of 2020, requires recording data on fatalities and injuries, and setting new safety goals to reduce those.
A second set of measures, adopted in 2018, collects data on National Highway System and National Interstate System pavement and bridge surface conditions, and sets standards to improve those conditions.
And a third set of measures was added in 2019 to collect data on congestion and air quality impacts, by cars and trucks, on the National Highway System and National Interstate System.
With all three measures in place for the first time, the goal is clear: Collect data and target transportation investments to improve the system.
Annually, the FHWA will determine whether PennDOT and the LVTS have met or made progress in meeting their goals. The end result is a project selection process rooted in data and analysis to enhance transportation system performance.
Air Quality & Environmental Justice
Every project on the TIP must meet federal air quality conformity standards through travel demand modeling, as well as an Environmental Justice Benefits and Burdens analysis.
The Lehigh Valley is required to perform travel forecasting to determine transportation network demand. Transportation network demand is then evaluated for conformity under the 2008 eight-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and the 2006 24-hour NAAQS. That evaluation is designed to ensure that federal funding goes to projects that are consistent with air quality standards.
An Environmental Justice analysis is also performed to determine how projects affect access to jobs, shopping, education and mobility for disadvantaged populations such as elderly, disabled, minority and low-income people. A conditions assessment was conducted to determine crash, transit, pavement and bridge condition data in neighborhoods where disadvantaged populations live. That information serves as a basis for evaluating the burdens and benefits of the TIP. Using Environmental Justice criteria for project selection helps address long-standing challenges experienced by residents of historically disadvantaged communities with limited transportation alternatives, or who live in places with environmental conditions threatening health and safety.
The overall goal is to reduce vehicle emissions to improve air quality and eliminate barriers to access, improving the quality of the transportation system for everyone, equitably.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Public participation is a key component in drafting the TIP. Community input often leads to important changes. The draft 2021-2024 TIP will be available for a 30-day public review and comment period starting May 18, 2020 and closing on June 16, 2020. Copies of the Draft TIP will be available at:
If the Covid-19 Pandemic Disaster Emergency is lifted during the public comment period and partner facilities reopen to the public, copies will be delivered to:
The LVPC website will be regularly updated.
Comments on the TIP can also be made during these virtual public meetings:
LVTS is committed to compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of applicable civil rights statutes, executive orders, regulations and policies. The meeting locations are accessible to persons with disabilities. With advance notification, accommodations may be provided for those with special needs related to language, sight or hearing. If you have a request for a special need, wish to file a complaint, or desire additional information, please contact the LVPC at (610) 264-4544 or lvpc@lvpc.org.
Comments may be sent to the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, 961 Marcon Blvd., Suite 310, Allentown, PA 18109 or submitted online at www.lvpc.org.
$451,834,483
2021-2024 TOTAL TIP INVESTMENT
$2,318,100
$23,308,376
Traffic Management Technologies
Pedestrian Facilities/Safe Routes to Schools
$134,518,466
$124,241,626
Reconstruction/Modernization/Automation
Bridge Replacement/Rehabilitation
$2,880,000
$11,494,950
Roadway Expansion
Transit Expansion/Modernization
$146,834,777
$6,238,188
Multi-Use Trails and Bicycle Facilities
Transit
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
2021-2024 PROJECTS
APPENDIX
2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Documents
The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is the locally endorsed list of highway, bridge, and transit projects proposed to be implemented with Federal assistance. The Federal and State Governments designated the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study (LVTS) as the body responsible for preparing the TIP for Lehigh and Northampton Counties. The Federal Government requires that the TIP shall, at a minimum: (1) consist of improvements from the locally developed transportation plan; (2) cover a period of not less than three years; (3) indicate the areas priorities; and (4) include realistic cost estimates of the total cost and revenues for the program period. Both highway and transit projects proposed to be implemented with Federal assistance must be included in an approved TIP as a condition to Federal review and approval.
This packet of materials for public review and comment contains many parts. A summary of the content of various sections of this packet is as follows.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL TIP MADE EASY DOCUMENT PDF
Section One:
An easy to follow summary of the TIP (called TIP Made Easy) including an introduction, public participation overview, and highway, bridge and public transit project descriptions and costs.
<<LINK TO FULL TIP MADE EASY DOCUMENT PDF>>
Section Two:
Various detailed PennDOT tables depicting highway, bridge and transit projects, including selection process and timeline. Performance Measures criteria and narrative documentation Project narrative tables are provided. Pennsylvania’s 2021 Transportation Program Financial Guidance as well as a summary of LANta’s Financial Capacity Assessment is included.
2021 Program Development Schedule – TIP Development timeline
Financial Guidance Distribution
PennDOT LANTA TIP Project Narrative – This document provides a descriptive narrative of the projects, funding sources utilized, and description of proposed improvements.
PennDOT Highway and Bridge TIP Project Narrative – This document provides a descriptive narrative of the project limits, funding sources utilized, and description of proposed improvements.
Fiscal Year 2021 Lehigh Valley TIP – This table depicts highway and bridge projects with scheduled phases of work to be started within the next four years. Costs are shown by phase of work (preliminary engineering (PE), final design (F), right-of-way-acquisition (R), utility relocation (U), and construction (C).
2021 - 2032 Twelve Year Program – The 12 Year Program allocates funds for multimodal transportation infrastructure improvement projects including highway and bridges repairs, public transit vehicle purchases, railroad signal upgrades, and new bicycle trails, over the upcoming 12 year period.
Performance Measures (PM1, PM2, PM3) Narrative Documentation
Section Three includes:
Air Quality Conformity Determination Report – This report analyzes air quality impacts that result from the implementation of projects included in the 2021 – 2024 TIP.
Air Quality Conformity Analysis Report – This report depicts attainment of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for vehicle emissions resulting from project implementation.
Section Four:
Two Memoranda of Understanding – Procedures for 2021 – 2024 TIP Modifications. One pertains to the understanding between PennDOT and U.S. DOT regarding procedures to change the STIP/TIP. The other pertains to the understanding between the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study and PennDOT regarding procedures to change the TIP.
PennDOT Memorandum of Understanding – This document establishes a set of procedures to be used by PennDOT for processing revisions to the 2019 – 2022 State Transportation Improvement Program.
LVTS Memorandum of Understanding – This document establishes a set of procedures used by the Lehigh Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for processing modifications to the 2019 – 2022 Transportation Improvement Program.
Pennsylvania's 2021 Transportation Program General and Procedural Guidance - This document provides guidance for the 2021 Transportation Program development process within the context of multiple interrelated, intergovernmental planning functions.
Section Five:
The Lehigh Valley Transportation Study Public Participation Plan which documents the outreach process and practices utilized in seeking public comment.
Lehigh Valley Transportation Study Public Participation Plan – This documents the LVTS outreach process in soliciting public input on plans and programs.
2020 PennDOT Public Participation Plan
Section Six:
Environmental Justice Summary – This summary documents efforts to date to identify and address disproportionately high adverse impact on minority and low-income populations as a result of transportation plans, programs, or projects.
Environmental Justice Analysis - This summary documents efforts to date to identify and address disproportionately high adverse impact on minority and low-income populations as a result of transportation plans, programs, or project
Section Seven:
Includes the current Interstate Transportation Improvement Program listing with Public Narrative as well as the current Statewide Transportation Improvement Program listing.
This report was prepared by The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission on behalf of the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study. This report has been financed in part through funding from the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, under the State Planning and Research Program, Section 505 [or Metropolitan Planning Program, Section 104(f)] of Title 23, U.S. Code. The contents of this report do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of the U.S. Department of Transportation.