New Duluth Area TIP Adopted and Approved for CY 2023-2026

This TIP was replaced by the MIC’s 2023-2026 Duluth-Area TIP upon receiving MIC Policy Board approval on 8/31/22 and state and federal approvals on 9/29/22.

2023-2026 Duluth Area TIP adopted by MIC Policy Board (final approvals pending)

The Board voted unanimously to approve the document and the listed Duluth-area projects for federal funding for CY 2023-2026. No public comments were received at the meeting.

Note: this Duluth Area TIP, for CY 2022-2025, remains the current version until the 2023-2026 TIP is approved by MnDOT and the FHWA.

Amendment # 8 Approved

Three additional line items for engineering/consulting for fiscal years 2023, 2024, and 2025

MnDOT has requested the addition of $17,555,554 over three years to be added to the Duluth Area 2022-2025 TIP for engineering/consulting for the Blatnik Bridge project.

Amendment #8 Details

Public notice posted 8/24/2022: This Amendment will be brought forward for approval at the August 31, 2022 special meeting of the Policy Board. The meeting is open to the public and comments will be taken.

Public Notice: Administrative Modification #22

Project Scope Changes and Additional Funding
Funding increases and changes to project scopes of work were requested by St. Louis County (SLC) for project ID’s 069-654-006, and 069-691-033 and approved by MIC staff. All changes are within fiscal constraints.

Details about Administrative Modification #22

Amendment # 7 Approved

Additional funding and expanded scope of work in FY 2023 for St. Louis Co project ID 069-609-050 and 069-609-050AC

St Louis County has requested the addition of funding in the amount of $1,000,000 and an expanded scope to include storm sewer improvements and additional sidewalk work on Woodland Ave.  Based on the criteria adopted in the MIC Public Involvement Plan, these changes require a formal TIP Amendment to the current 2022-2025 Duluth area TIP.

Amendment 7 adds additional funding and expanded project scope, as follows:

  • 069-609-050 will add $1,000,000 to the project total
  • 069-609-050 will include scope language for sidewalk improvements, and storm sewer
  • 069-609-050AC will include scope language for sidewalk improvements, and storm sewer

Amendment #7 Details

Public notice posted 6/8/2022: This Amendment will be brought forward for approval at the June 15, 2022 Policy Board meeting. The meeting is open to the public and comments will be taken.

Public Notice: Administrative Modification #21

Federal Transit Administration Correction

One minor change was requested by the FTA and approved by MIC staff.  Administrative Modification 21 corrects the funding timeline for project ID TRF-9069-22 to FY 2023, and new project ID TRF-9069-23.

Details about Administrative Modification #21

Amendment # 6 Approved

New MnDOT Projects for FY 2022/2023 – Additions to the Twin Ports Interchange Construction Project

MnDOT has requested the addition of two new projects for FY 2022, with an associated project in FY 2023 for Advance Construction (AC) payback, for a total of $167,710,000.  Based on the criteria adopted in the MIC Public Involvement Plan, these changes require a formal TIP Amendment to the current 2022-2025 Duluth area TIP.

Amendment 6 adds three line items for FY 2022 and FY 2023, as follows:

  • 6915-138 will include $96,080,000 to replace pavement, construct retaining walls, and 6 new bridges on US Highway 53 from West Michigan St to West 4th Street,
  • 6980-62 will include $71,630,000 for bridge, pavement, and retaining walls on I-535 at the junction with I-35, the Garfield Ave Interchange; and
  • 6980-62AC identifies $30,000,000 AC funding from FY 2023 for project 6980-62, described above.

Amendment #6 Details

Public notice posted 5/11/2022: This Amendment will be brought forward for approval at the May 18, 2022 Policy Board meeting. The meeting is open to the public and comments will be taken.

Public Notice: Administrative Modifications #19-20

Duluth Transit Authority Project List Corrections

Two minor changes to the project list were requested by the Duluth Transit Authority and approved by MIC staff. Admin Mod #19 corrects a clerical error in the funding amounts for State Project ID TRS-0016-22T for the purchase of 2 new electric buses for the DTA and #20 corrects the state project ID number for TRF-0016-22I.

Details about Administrative Modifications 19-20

Amendments 2, 3, 4 & 5 Approved

FY 2022 Duluth Transit Authority New Projects and Cost Changes

The MIC Board approved Amendments 2, 3, 4 & 5 requested by the Duluth Transit Authority’s to add three additional 2022 projects as well as to make several changes to programmed 2022 projects. Based on the financial criteria adopted in the MIC Public Involvement Plan, these project changes will require formal TIP Amendments, as follows:

Amendment 2 adds a new project to fund a bus rapid transit feasibility study.

Amendment 3 adds new projects that will be utilizing leftover Lo-No funds and STBGP funds to purchase two new electric buses to replace aging diesel buses.

Amendment 4 reimburses the DTA for the rehabilitation of the DTA Operation Center facility in FY2017, 2018 and 2020.  It will no longer be using FY2022 funds and will instead be repurposing older, unspent funds.

Amendment 5 adds an additional $200,000 to the Intelligent Transportation System project.

Amendment #2-5 Details

Public notice posted 4/13/2022: These Amendments will be brought forward for approval at the April 20, 2022 meeting. The meeting is open to the public and comments will be taken.

A formal Amendment is needed since new projects are being programmed in the approved TIP for CY 2022, and costs are increasing In accordance with the financial guidelines in the 2021 MIC Public Involvement Plan,

Public Notice: Administrative Modifications #15 - 18

Duluth Transit Authority Cost Changes

The Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) requested that costs be updated for several 2022 projects due to inflation. No changes in scope are being made; however, the project description for Admin Mod 17 is being changed to specify the type of work being done, and the project description Admin Mod 18 is being changed to reflect the purchase of four rather than five diesel replacement buses.

Details about Administrative Modifications 15-18

Public Notice: Administrative Modification #14

Woodland Av Resurfacing (SP #069-609-047) and Arrowhead Rd Resurfacing (SP #118-160-024)

St. Louis County requested that these projects be combined.

Local funding in the amount of $331,712 from the Arrowhead Rd Resurfacing project is being added to the Woodland Av Resurfacing project with no change to the scope of work or cost of the combined project. The project description has been modified to incorporate the scope of work for both projects, and the length of the combined project has been increased to 2.87 miles.

Details about Administrative Modification 14 

Public Notice: Administrative Modification #13

Hermantown Intersection Improvements Cost Increase (SP #202-101-014)

The City of Hermantown requested a change to the total cost of project 202-101-014 after determining their initial cost estimate was low.

The project total increased from $4,380,000 to $5,180,000. This additional $800,000, a cost increase of roughly 18%, will be covered by local matching funds,. There is no change to the project description.

Details about Administrative Modification 13

Public Notice: Administrative Modifications #10, 11 & 12

Federal funding reallocation for Midway Road Turn Lane Projects (SP# 069-070-052, 069-070-053 and 069-070-057)

St. Louis County requested that one project be removed from the TIP, due to unexpectedly high costs, and that its federal funds be added to two other projects.

Details about Administrative Modifications 10, 11 & 12

Public Notice: Administrative Modifications #7, 8 & 9

Woodland Av Resurfacing (SP #069-609-047) and Arrowhead Rd Resurfacing (SP #118-160-024) and Jean Duluth Rd/Snively Rd/Glenwood St Roundabout (SP # 069-637-025)

St. Louis County requested changes to increase the cost of the Woodland Av project and to change its description, to decrease the cost of the Arrowhead Rd project, and to change the description for the Jean Duluth Rd/Snively Rd/Glenwood St project. The total amount of federal funds is unchanged.

Details about Administrative Modifications 7, 8 & 9

Public Notice: Administrative Modifications #5 & 6

US 53/Hwy 194 Intersection Improvements and MN 194 Roundabout/Resurface (SP #6916-113N and #6932-14)

MnDOT requested changes to the cost of these projects and the addition of an associated project. These projects are tied with the same letting. The US 53/Hwy 194 project has a cost increase due to unforeseen contaminated material. The City of Hermantown added local funds and the required federal funds for the increase are coming from the MN 194 project due to its updated final design estimate which has a lower cost. There is no scope change for either project.

Details about Administrative Modifications 5 & 6

Public Notice: Administrative Modification #4

Lakewalk Drainage System Improvement Project (SP (# 6982-324)

MnDOT requested a change to drop this project from FY22 and move it to FY23. The project needs more time for permitting with the city of Duluth. Cost and scope remain the same.

Details about Administrative Modification 4

Amendment #1 Approved

The MIC Policy Board reviewed and approved Amendment #1 to the 2022-2025 Duluth Area TIP, as follows:

MnDOT has requested that a new FY 2022 federally funded project be inserted into the 2022-2025 Duluth Area TIP. The project is to replace signage at various locations along U.S. Highway 53 between Duluth and International Falls and is utilizing federal carry-over dollars.

Amendment #1 Details

Public notice posted 12/1/2021: This Amendment will be brought forward for approval at the December 8, 2021 meeting. The meeting is open to the public and comments will be taken.

In accordance with the 2021 MIC Public Involvement Plan, a formal Amendment is needed since a new project with a cost that exeeds $1,000,000 is being programmed in the approved TIP for CY 2022.

Public Notice: Administrative Modification #3

Piedmont Ave Project Description Change (SP #069-654-006)

St. Louis County requested that the project description be changed for the Piedmont Avenue Resurfacing Project. This project is now being tied to the Haines Road Resurfacing Project (#069-691-033) for construction administration purposes to allow for a more efficient bidding process.

Details about Administrative Modification 3

Public Notice: Administrative Modification #2

Haines Rd Project Description Change (SP #069-691-033)

MnDOT requested that the project description for the Haines Road Resurfacing Project be changed. This project is now being tied to the Piedmont Avenue Resurfacing Project (#069-654-006) for construction administration purposes to allow for a more efficient bidding process.

Details about Administrative Modification 2

Public Notice: Administrative Modification #1

Blatnik Bridge Repair State Project Number Change

MnDOT Central Office requested the project number for the Blatnik Bridge Repair Project be changed to a “grading state project number” for the plan sheets.

Details about Administrative Modification 1

New Duluth Area TIP Adopted for CY 2022-2025

The 2022-2025 Duluth Area TIP was adopted upon receiving MIC Policy Board approval on 8/25/21 and state and federal approvals on 10/29/2021.

2022-2025 Duluth Area TIP Adopted by MIC Board

The Board voted unanimously to approve the document and the listed Duluth-area projects for federal funding for CY 2022-2025. No public comments were received at the meeting.

Note, until this TIP is approved by the FHWA, the 2021-2024 Duluth Area TIP is the current version.

2022-2025 Duluth Area TIP to be Presented for Approval by MIC Board (Opportunity for Public Comment)

The draft Duluth Area TIP for 2022-2025 will be presented at the MIC Policy Board meeting on August 25, 2021.

The meeting is open to the public and comments on the draft TIP are welcome.

Public Input Session #2 - Proposed Duluth-Area Transportation Projects
Date & Time
07/13/2021
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Location
See login/call-in info in body of post
Purpose

The Draft Transportation Improvement Program, or 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 second of four public informational sessions to be held on Tuesday, 7/13/21.  Members of the public are invited and encouraged to participate in this virtual meeting to give input and get information about the projects being funded for the next four years.

Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting

Or call in (audio only)
+1 218-302-4275 (United States, Duluth, MN)
Phone Conference ID: 331 778 477#

Public Input Session #3 - Proposed Duluth-Area Transportation Projects
Date & Time
07/13/2021
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location
See login/call-in info in body of post
Purpose

The Draft Transportation Improvement Program, or TIP, lists all constructionn 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 four public informational sessions to be held on Tuesday, 7/13/21.  Members of the public are invited and encouraged to participate in this virtual meeting to give input and get information about the projects being funded for the next four years.

Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting

Or call in (audio only)
+1 218-302-4275 (United States, Duluth, MN)
Phone Conference ID: 503 547 786#

Public Input Session #4 - Proposed Duluth-Area Transportation Projects
Date & Time
07/13/2021
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location
See login/call-in info in body of post
Purpose

The Draft Transportation Improvement Program, or TIP, lists all constructionn projects that are being proposed to use federal transportation funds for the upcoming four years in the greater Duluth area.

This is the fourth of four public informational sessions to be held on Tuesday, 7/13/21.  Members of the public are invited and encouraged to participate in this virtual meeting to give input and get information about the projects being funded for the next four years.

Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting

Or call in (audio only)
+1 218-302-4275 (United States, Duluth, MN)
Phone Conference ID: 823 936 040#

Draft TIP Open for Public Comment from 7/1/21 through 7/30/21

The draft TIP was approved by the MIC Policy Board for a 30-day public comment period, effective July 1, 2021 though July 30, 2021.

The draft TIP document lists all projects proposed for 2022-2025 and is now open for public review and input through 7/30/21. 

To comment:

It will be presented to the MIC Policy Board for final approval at its August 18, 2021 meeting at 6:00 pm.  This meeting is open to the public and comments will be taken.

2025 Projects Presented for Approval by MIC Policy Board

At the March MIC meetings, the projects proposed for inclusion in the 2022-2025 Duluth Area TIP will be presented for review and approval.

If approved, the projects will be forwarded on to the Northeast Minnesota Area Transportation Partnership (NE MN ATP) for funding consideration as part of the process for developing the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).

FY 2025 Duluth Area TIP Project Submittals

The FY 2025 TIP project solicitation for federal funding in the Duluth area closed on Friday, January 29, 2021.  The MIC received three (3) applications for federal funding through the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) program totaling $12,930,000.

Projects were proposed by the City of Duluth, St. Louis County, and MnDOT: Proposed FY 2025 Roadway Projects for STBG federal funding in the Duluth Area

The projects will be presented at the February TAC and MIC meetings for initial review and comment, as well as at an upcoming public engagement session.  The list of projects, along with comments received, will be put before the TAC and MIC in March for their approval, and will then be forwarded to the Northeast MN Area Transportation Partnership (NEMNATP) for funding consideration.

2025 TIP Project Solicitation

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).

2024 Duluth area project submittals are due January 29, 2021.

New TIP Project Selection Process Adopted by MIC Board

Funded Projects

No projects match selected year

Final 2022-2025 Duluth Area TIP

Final-2022-2025_DuluthTIP_All_Approvals_eff.-10-29-21.pdf

This is the final TIP document as adopted by the MIC Board on 8/25/21.  The project lists (pp. 11-15) present detailed information about all Duluth-area projects that are programmed to receive federal transportation funding for CY 2022-2025.  See post, below, to view a map of the location of those projects.

Note: some of the original programmed projects have been amended or administratively modified since this TIP was first adopted. See the links to “Current Project Lists” at the top of this page, as well as entries under the Public Involvement tab, to view all changes and the most up-to-date project lists.

Map of Projects for the Duluth Area for FY 2022-2025

Duluth-TIP-Map-2022-2025.pdf

Draft 2022-2025 Duluth Area Transportation Improvement Program

Draft-2022-2025_DuluthTIP.pdf

Open for public review and comment through Friday, 7/30/2021.  Direct all comments and questions to TIP Coordinator James Gittemeier (click to email) or call 218-529-7556.



If programmed in the TIP, it means that some of our highest-priority road, transit, and bicycle/pedestrian projects have been funded and are being designed and/or built, consistent with the transportation vision for our region described in the MIC’s Long Range Transportation Plan.

TIP Basics

•   Each metropolitan planning organization (MPO) is required to develop a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)—a comprehensive listing of the area’s federally funded transportation improvements planned for the short range (next 4 years).

•   The TIP is developed with the guidance of the MIC’s Transportation Advisory Committee and Policy Board, and prepared in cooperation with MnDOT, local transit providers and area jurisdictions as required by federal surface transportation law (FAST Act).

•   The draft TIP is made available for a 30-day public comment period, in July, prior to being presented for approval at the MIC Board meeting in August.

How are TIP projects selected?

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?

Coordination with State and Regional Processes

We work with local communities to determine how our increasingly scarce share of federal transportation dollars are spent.  These are the projects solicited, evaluated and approved by the MIC Policy Board, as described in the timeline, below. A simultaneous but separate process is held to program projects throughout the 8-county Arrowhead region by the Northeast Minnesota Area Transportation Partnership (NE MN ATP). All Duluth area transportation projects that are approved and/or amended in the MIC’s TIP must also be listed in MnDOT’s Statewide Transportation Improvement Program to be able to receive federal funds.

TIP Development Timeline

For the Duluth Area TIP, the development process runs from October, when the MIC begins discussions about possible projects with eligible jurisdictions* through August of the following year, when the final TIP is approved by the MIC Policy Board, and October/November, when MnDOT and FHWA approvals are received and the new TIP is adopted.

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:

  • October: Pre-application meetings to review Long Range Plan with eligible jurisdictions*
  • Nov/Dec: MIC staff distributes project applications to eligible jurisdictions*
  • January: Project applications received.
  • February: Project applications are put forward for public review and comment.
  • March: MIC staff reviews and scores projects according to evaluation criteria and presents them to the TAC to be scored and ranked according to priority. The TAC scores the projects and staff presents the projects and the TAC scores to the MIC Policy Board for their review and approval.
  • Apr/May: Project applications as prioritized by the MIC Policy Board are forwarded to the Northeast Minnesota Area Transportation Partnership (NE MN ATP) for funding consideration within the investment guidelines for that project year.
  • May/Jun: Draft TIP produced and released for public comment.
  • July: Public participation initiatives to encourage public review and comment.
  • August: Final TIP presented for approval by MIC Policy Board.*
  • September: Final TIP and Board Resolution submitted to MnDOT
  • October/November: Federal review and approval – Duluth-Area TIP Adopted
  • December: Incorporation into next year’s draft STIP by MnDOT
  • January: Approved by reference in the federally approved STIP

*Eligible agencies and jurisdictions include the 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).

Amendments

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 formal processes for developing and amending a TIP are specified in the MIC’s Public Involvement Plan.

Performance Management

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.

Public Input

Public participation is an integral part of transportation planning. See the “Public Involvement” tab for information about the project selection process, proposed changes (amendments and modifications) to the approved project list and opportunities for public comment.