Title
SPOT 7.0 Timeline for FY26-35 Projects, AQ Conformity, & MTP Updates (15 minutes)
Kelly Fomenko, LPA Staff
Narrative
The FY2024-2033 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) is tentatively scheduled to be released for public comment following the April 5-6 Board of Transportation (BOT) meetings. Based off of that timeline, and given the updated list of projects that will be provided in the STIP, this sets in motion the creation of a submittal list for projects in the SPOT process, as well as a need to run an Air Quality (AQ) conformity analysis and amend the 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP).
The Strategic Prioritization of Transportation (SPOT) process is a data-driven approach for ranking projects across North Carolina. Projects are scored based on mode of transportation, degree of impact (statewide, regional, division), and other critical factors. This process takes several years and determines the prioritization of projects in a future funding cycle. This upcoming SPOT cycle is the 7th iteration of the scoring process and projects will be funded for the FY2026-2035 STIP.
It is a requirement for all projects in the first four years of the TIP and MTP to match. As a result of recent swaps and other updates, the MTP will need to be amended to match the TIP. This amendment process requires running AQ conformity analysis to ensure that transit activities are consistent with the air quality goals set forth in the Clean Air Act. To ensure that the TIP and MTP match, the amendment to the MTP will need to be processed in tandem with TIP adoption.
Attached is the expected timeline for SPOT 7.0, AQ conformity, and MTP updates.
Board Action
TC Action: None; for information only.
Board Action: None; for information only.