2026-2029 Duluth Area TIP Receives Final Approvals
The 2026-2029 TIP received MnDOT, FTA and FHWA approvals, replacing the 2025-2028 version as the current TIP for the Duluth Area.
<hr />
The 2026-2029 TIP received MnDOT, FTA and FHWA approvals, replacing the 2025-2028 version as the current TIP for the Duluth Area.
<hr />
Administrative Modification #5: Cost Adjustments to the FY 2026 London Road Reconstruction Project
In response to a request from the City of Duluth and MnDOT, the MIC approved cost adjustments to the London Road Reconstruction project in the 2026 program year as an Administrative Modification to the 2025–2028 Duluth Area TIP.
Administrative Modification #5 details
Based on the criteria adopted in the MIC’s Public Involvement Plan, this project change does not require a formal TIP Amendment and can be made as an Administrative Modification.
About Amendments and Administrative Modifications
The City of Duluth has requested an Amendment (#7) to the 2025-2028 Duluth TIP. It will be presented for approval at the June 18, 2025 MIC Policy Board meeting. The meeting is open to the public and comments will be taken.
Amendment #7: Re-allocation of Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) Funds from the City of Duluth’s FY2025 West Superior Street Reconstruction Project to the City of Duluth’s FY2025 Railroad Street Rehabilitation Project
Due to uncertainties in state funding for the City of Duluth’s 2025 West Superior Street Reconstruction Project, the City has requested that the MIC’s 2025 CRP funds in the amount of $370,000 be re-allocated to the City’s 2025 Railroad Street project, reducing the amount of the City’s contribution to that project. There will be no change to the scope of work or the total funding amount of $2,500,000 for the project.
NOTE: Approval of this Amendment also signifies TAC and MIC approval of the re-allocation of 2025 CRP funds in the amount of $370,000. MnDOT guidance indicates that these funds are eligible to be applied to the City of Duluth’s Railroad Street project.
These changes apply to State Project ID #118-109-021CRP (FY2025), #118-118-005 (FY2025), and #118-118-005CRP (FY2025).
Based on the criteria adopted in the MIC’s Public Involvement Plan, this project change requires a formal TIP Amendment, including the opportunity for public comment and approval by the MIC Policy Board. The TIP will remain fiscally constrained within the revenues that can reasonably be expected to be available.
About Amendments and Administrative Modifications
The City of Duluth has requested an Amendment (#6) to the 2025-2028 Duluth TIP. It will be presented for approval at the April 28, 2025 MIC Policy Board meeting. The meeting is open to the public and comments will be taken.
Amendment #6: Railroad Street – Cost Increase, Scope Change and Project Description Correction
The City of Duluth is requesting a cost increase, scope change and correction to the project description for the 2025 pavement resurface and rehabilitation project on Railroad Street from 5th Avenue West to Canal Park Drive. (Project ID# 118-118-005).
Based on the criteria adopted in the MIC’s Public Involvement Plan, this project change requires a formal TIP Amendment, including the opportunity for public comment and approval by the MIC Policy Board. The TIP will remain fiscally constrained within the revenues that can reasonably be expected to be available.
About Amendments and Administrative Modifications
Amendment #6 to the 2025-2028 Duluth TIP was deferred to the next meeting of the MIC Policy Board.
The City of Duluth has requested an Amendment (#6) to the 2025-2028 Duluth TIP. It will be presented for approval at the April 16, 2025 MIC Policy Board meeting. The meeting is open to the public and comments will be taken.
Amendment #6: Railroad Street – Cost Increase, Scope Change and Project Description Correction
The City of Duluth is requesting a cost increase, scope change and correction to the project description for the 2025 pavement resurface and rehabilitation project on Railroad Street from 5th Avenue West to Canal Park Drive. (Project ID# 118-118-005).
Based on the criteria adopted in the MIC’s Public Involvement Plan, this project change requires a formal TIP Amendment, including the opportunity for public comment and approval by the MIC Policy Board. The TIP will remain fiscally constrained within the revenues that can reasonably be expected to be available.
About Amendments and Administrative Modifications
Administrative Modification #4: Correction to Administrative Modification #2
The project year for the St Louis County-wide 6-inch Wet-Reflective Epoxy Edge Line project (ID# 069-070-079) was mistakenly listed as 2026 and should have been shown as 2025 when Admin Mod #2 was approved on February 20, 2025.
Administrative Modification #4 details
Based on the criteria adopted in the MIC’s Public Involvement Plan, this project change does not require a formal TIP Amendment and can be made as an Administrative Modification. About Amendments and Administrative Modifications
Administrative Modification #3: Correction to Amendment #4
The project year for the Fond Du Lac Cemetery Ceremonial Structure project (MnDOT Project ID# 6910-114) was mistakenly shown as 2025 and should have been shown as 2026 when Amendment #4 was approved on Feb 19, 2025.
Administrative Modification #3 details
Based on the criteria adopted in the MIC’s 2021 Public Involvement Plan, this project change does not require a formal TIP Amendment and can be made as an Administrative Modification.
About Amendments and Administrative Modifications
By March 31 (90 days after the end of every calendar year), the MIC is required to publish a list of the projects for which federal funds have been obligated in the previous fiscal year.*
These lists show all federally funded FHWA and FTA projects in the Duluth area in FY2024, as well as federal funding remaining and available for subsequent years:
* “Obligated” is the federal government’s commitment to provide a specific amount of money for specific work on a particular project. The annual listing is intended to help illustrate the federal role in providing transportation services and facilities, and to increase transparency in the planning process.
The City of Duluth has requested an Amendment (#5) to the 2025-2028 Duluth TIP. It will be presented for approval at the March 19, 2025 MIC Policy Board meeting. The meeting is open to the public and comments will be taken.
Amendment #5: New Project: Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge Rehabilitation
The City of Duluth requested the addition of a project to rehabilitate the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge, including deck and sidewalk replacement in FY25.
Based on the criteria adopted in the MIC’s Public Involvement Plan, this project change requires a formal TIP Amendment, including the opportunity for public comment and approval by the MIC Policy Board. The TIP will remain fiscally constrained within the revenues that can reasonably be expected to be available.
About Amendments and Administrative Modifications
The City of Duluth has requested an Amendment (#4) to the 2025-2028 Duluth TIP. It will be presented for approval at the February 19, 2025 MIC Policy Board meeting. The meeting is open to the public and comments will be taken.
Amendment #4: Fond Du Lac Cemetery Ceremonial Structure – Reduction in Cost: MnDOT is requesting a cost reduction from $1,500,000 to $750,000 for a 2025 project to construct a ceremonial structure and gathering space for the Fond Du Lac cemetery.
Based on the criteria adopted in the MIC’s Public Involvement Plan, this project change requires a formal TIP Amendment, including the opportunity for public comment and approval by the MIC Policy Board. The TIP will remain fiscally constrained within the revenues that can reasonably be expected to be available.
About Amendments and Administrative Modifications
The City of Duluth has requested an Amendment (#3) to the 2025-2028 Duluth TIP. It will be presented for approval at the February 19, 2025 MIC Policy Board meeting. The meeting is open to the public and comments will be taken.
Amendment #3: I-35 Ore Dock Bridge (BR#69866) Rehabilitation Project
MnDOT is requesting the addition of a new construction project for 2025, for repairs to the I-35 Ore Dock Bridge due to fire damage. The cost of the state funded project is $1,650,000.
Based on the criteria adopted in the MIC’s Public Involvement Plan, this project change requires a formal TIP Amendment, including the opportunity for public comment and approval by the MIC Policy Board. The TIP will remain fiscally constrained within the revenues that can reasonably be expected to be available.
About Amendments and Administrative Modifications
Administrative Modification #2: Cost Reduction for 2026 St. Louis County Edgeline Painting Project
St. Louis County requested a cost change for state project ID #069-070-079, due to some roads in this project having been completed in 2024.
Administrative Modification #2 details
Based on the criteria adopted in the MIC’s Public Involvement Plan, this project change does not require a formal TIP Amendment and can be made as an Administrative Modification.
About Amendments and Administrative Modifications
The City of Duluth has requested an Amendment (#2) to the 2025-2028 Duluth TIP. It will be presented for approval at the January 15, 2025 MIC Policy Board meeting. The meeting is open to the public and comments will be taken.
MN Hwy 61 at McQuade Road—Changes to Scope, Type of Work and Cost
MnDOT and St. Louis County are requesting multiple changes to the scopes of work for a 2026 construction project, located on MN Hwy 61 at McQuade Rd, with related cost decreases.
Based on the criteria adopted in the MIC’s Public Involvement Plan, this project change requires a formal TIP Amendment, including the opportunity for public comment and approval by the MIC Policy Board. The TIP will remain fiscally constrained within the revenues that can reasonably be expected to be available.
About Amendments and Administrative Modifications
The City of Duluth has requested an Amendment (#1) to the 2025-2028 Duluth TIP. It will be presented for approval at the December 11, 2024 MIC Policy Board meeting. The meeting is open to the public and comments will be taken.
Amendment 1: New 2025 Project – UDAC Bus Purchase
MnDOT Transit is requesting the addition of a new project for 2025, to purchase a Class 200 Minivan for UDAC to provide transportation to elderly and persons with disabilities. The proposed project has a cost of $170,000, $136,000 coming from FTA and $34,000 match from UDAC.
Based on the criteria adopted in the MIC’s Public Involvement Plan, this project change requires a formal TIP Amendment, including the opportunity for public comment and approval by the MIC Policy Board. The TIP will remain fiscally constrained within the revenues that can reasonably be expected to be available.
About Amendments and Administrative Modifications
Administrative Modification #1: Changing ELLE from One MnDOT Project to Another
MnDOT requests dropping the ELLE (Early Let Late Encumbrance) smart code from project 6908-68 and adding it to project 8821-358. The original project 6908-68 had trouble with an early letting date and could not deliver in time. All costs, scope & fiscal year (2026) remain unchanged.
Administrative Modification #1 details
Based on the criteria adopted in the MIC’s Public Involvement Plan, this project change does not require a formal TIP Amendment and can be made as an Administrative Modification.
About Amendments and Administrative Modifications
The FHWA and FTA approved the MnDOT STIP. As of this date the MIC’s 2025-2028 Duluth Area Transportation Improvement Program is the current TIP.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the final 2025-2028 Duluth Metropolitan Area Transportation Improvement Program and the listed transportation improvement projects to receive federal funding for CY 2024-2027. No public comments were received at the meeting.
Note, until this TIP is approved by MnDOT and the FHWA, the 2024-2027 Duluth Area TIP remains the current version.
The final 2025-2028 Duluth Metropolitan Area Transportation Improvement Program will be presented for adoption at the August 21 meeting of the MIC Policy Board.
The meeting is open to the public and comments are welcome.
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Virtual Meeting – See login/call-in info in body of post
The Draft 2025-2028 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) lists all projects that are being proposed to use federal transportation funds for the upcoming four years in the greater Duluth area.
This is the first of three public informational sessions held today. Members of the public are invited and encouraged to participate in this virtual meeting to give input and get information about the federally-funded transportation projects in the Duluth area for the next four years.
Join on your computer or mobile app: Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 276 432 569 351
Passcode: oGiEwt
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Virtual Meeting – See login/call-in info in body of post
The Draft 2025-2028 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) lists all projects that are being proposed to use federal transportation funds for the upcoming four years in the greater Duluth area.
This is the first of three public informational sessions held today. Members of the public are invited and encouraged to participate in this virtual meeting to give input and get information about the federally-funded transportation projects in the Duluth area for the next four years.
Join on your computer or mobile app: Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 275 601 611 560 / Passcode: 9PN7yc
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Virtual Meeting – See login/call-in info in body of post
The Draft 2025-2028 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) lists all projects that are being proposed to use federal transportation funds for the upcoming four years in the greater Duluth area.
This is the third of three public informational sessions held today. Members of the public are invited and encouraged to participate in this virtual meeting to give input and get information about the federally-funded transportation projects in the Duluth area for the next four years.
Join on your computer or mobile app: Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 266 825 684 730
Passcode: QW7jpF
The Draft 2025-2028 Duluth Area Transportation Improvement Program lists all projects proposed for 2025-2028 and will be open for public review and input through 7/31/2024. It was approved by the MIC Policy Board for release for the required 30-day public comment period.
The 2025-2028 Duluth TIP will be presented to the MIC Policy Board for final approval at its meeting on August 21, 2024 at 6:00pm. This meeting will be open to the public and comments will be taken.
To comment:
At the February meeting of the MIC Policy Board, the new 2028 projects proposed by area jurisdictions to receive federal funding were approved for inclusion in the Draft 2025-2028 Duluth Area TIP. These include:
STBGP Funding
Central Entrance Reconstruction Project Summary
Hermantown Road Reconstruction Project Summary
Transportation Alternatives (TA) Program Funding
Transportation Alternatives Projects Summary
No comments were received. The Board approved the projects proposed for inclusion in the 2025-2028 Duluth Area TIP, as presented.
New projects proposed to receive federal funding will be presented for approval for inclusion in the Draft 2025-2028 Duluth Area TIP at the February 21, 2024 meeting of the MIC Policy Board. The meeting is open to the public and comments will be taken.
The proposed projects include:
STBGP Funding
Central Entrance Reconstruction Project Summary
Hermantown Road Reconstruction Project Summary
Transportation Alternatives (TA) Program Funding
Transportation Alternatives Projects Summary
Applications for proposed 2028 projects to receive federal STBGP funding were received from two MIC-area jurisdictions:
City of Duluth – Central Entrance Reconstruction
City of Hermantown – Hermantown Road Reconstruction
They will be presented for approval at the February 21, 2024 MIC Policy Board meeting for review and inclusion in the draft 2025-2028 Duluth Area TIP. Public comments will be taken.
MIC staff distributed project applications to eligible agencies and jurisdictions — State of Minnesota (MnDOT), St. Louis County, cities with a population over 5,000 (Duluth and Hermantown), the Duluth Seaway Port Authority and the Duluth Transit Authority (DTA). 2028 Duluth area project submittals are due January 16, 2024.
It is part of the MIC’s role as an MPO to work with state and local agencies to prioritize and program the region’s transportation projects and services that will receive anticipated federal funds.
Before any surface transportation project in the Duluth area can be constructed with federal funding, it must be included in a current Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) that has been approved by the MIC Policy Board.
TIP development involves a series of sequential steps to reach the project approval stage. It is a coordinated effort among state, regional and local agencies and jurisdictions responsible for implementing transportation projects.*
The TIP is prepared in cooperation with MnDOT, local transit providers and area jurisdictions as required by federal surface transportation law (FAST Act), and also in cooperation with the Northeast Minnesota Area Transportation Partnership (NE MN ATP) process.
The draft plan is made available for public comment, reviewed and approved by the MIC’s Transportation Advisory Committee and Policy Board, and submitted to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
The TIP development schedule, below, reflects the availability of funds, coordination with MnDOT and the NE MN ATP, local capital improvement budget processes, MPO public involvement requirements and the STIP development process. Important schedule milestones include:
(Oct/Nov) Project solicitation – MPO Consultations with local jurisdictions
(Dec/Jan) Project solicitation – Applications distributed in December and due in January
(Feb) Proposed projects – Presented for review and approval by the TAC and MIC
(Mar) If approved, the proposed projects are forwarded on to the Northeast Minnesota Area Transportation Partnership (NE MN ATP)
(Apr) Draft TIP document development
(May/Jun) Draft TIP Public Involvement and MnDOT review
(Jun) MPO Policy Board approval of final TIP
(Jul) Adopted TIP and Board Resolution submitted to MnDOT
(Nov) Federal review and action – November
(Dec) Incorporation into next year’s draft STIP by MnDOT
(Jan) Approved by reference in the federally approved STIP – January
*Eligible agencies and jurisdictions include the state of Minnesota (MnDOT), St. Louis County, the Cities of Duluth, Hermantown, Proctor and Rice Lake and the Duluth Transit Authority (DTA).
Public participation is an integral part of transportation planning in general and the development of the TIP in particular. All public comments received for the draft document are presented for consideration by the Transportation Advisory Committee and the MIC Policy Board and are included in the final TIP.
All projects must be identified in the MIC’s current 25-year Long Range Transportation Plan in support of the Duluth-Superior area’s goals and transportation system needs. In addition, the MIC evaluates and prioritizes each proposal based on the following criteria:
• Regional Benefit: What are the project’s merits/benefits and intended effect upon the regional transportation network and what are the project’s estimated benefits relative to its cost?
• Mobility: How will the project improve the mobility of people and goods?
• Planning Support: How will the project incorporate the MIC’s Long Range Transportation Plan, other MIC studies and related plans and studies?
• Multimodal Connectivity: How does the project encompass multiple modes of travel?
• Environmental Impacts: Where is the project’s location and what potential environmental and community impacts does it potentially pose?
• Public Participation: What level of public participation has been undertaken or will take place for the proposed project?
Projects may be amended into the current, approved TIP throughout the year. Amendments usually modify existing projects as changes to the scope, cost or timeline for programmed projects occur. Sometimes new projects may be added if new funding becomes available. The process for developing and amending a TIP are specified in the MIC’s Public Involvement Plan.
MAP-21 and FAST ACT require incorporation of Performance-Based Planning and Programming (PBPP) for use in the development of the MPO’s Transportation Improvement Plans.
The TIP includes a description of the anticipated effect of the TIP toward achieving the 23 C.F.R. 490 performance measure targets identified in the metropolitan transportation plan, linking investment priorities to those performance targets.
"*" indicates required fields