The VCOG is responsible for conducting comprehensive regional transportation planning as mandated by federal regulations intended to develop and advance the implementation of plans and programs for local transportation facilities and services, as well as address problems and deficiencies identified in the VCOG's Long-Range Transportation Plan.
The Valley Council of Governments and the Greater Bridgeport Regional Council (GBRC) make up the Greater Bridgeport/Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (GBVMPO). MPO regions are responsible for ensuring that provisions of state and federal laws pertaining to regional transportation planning are implemented in each metropolitan planning area. The planning area is defined as the existing urbanized area plus the projected 20-year growth area. It is mutually determined by the MPO and the state. In addition to the Long-Range Transportation Plan, the GBVMPO creates and maintains a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP is used to collect and rank transportation projects throughout the MPO region. Once the TIP has been approved by the MPO Board, the projects are included in the State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) where they are funded by the ConnDOT. The GBVMPO Board is governed by all of the Chief Elected Officials of Ansonia, Bridgeport, Derby, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Seymour, Shelton, Stratford and Trumbull, as well as regional planning and transit Chairs.
Transportation Improvement Program for the Bridgeport/Valley Region
Transportation Improvement Program (1.3MB PDF file)
The TIP is prepared by the GBRC and VCOG, in cooperation with ConnDOT, GBTA and VTD. The MPO selects highway projects for the Greater Bridgeport and Valley attributable portion of FHWA's STPBS program, as well as local transit projects under the FTA's Section 5307 capital formula grant program. The ConnDOT submits a list of proposed projects allocated to the other federal-aid programs. The MPO evaluates the draft State TIP (STIP) and incorporates its program into the MPO TIP.
Projects proposed for federal-aid funding under the STPBS program are required to follow a prescribed scoping and evaluation process. Project proposals must complete all aspects of the process before they can be initiated and included in the TIP/STIP. The TIP/STIP implements the recommendations and proposed projects contained in the MPO's and ConnDOT's long range regional transportation plans. Project selection is based on thorough evaluation to ensure it:
1. Addresses a transportation deficiency;
2. Improves the movement of people and goods;
3. Adequately mitigates the transportation deficiency;
4. Minimizes adverse environmental and social impacts; and
5. Is cost effective.
Proposed projects must address the issues and be consistent with the objectives of the Regional Transportation Plan. All projects contained in the TIP/STIP are consistent with the Regional Transportation Plan for the Greater Bridgeport Planning Region and the Regional Transportation Plan for the Valley Council of Governments, as well as the state-wide long range transportation plan.