Draft Memorandum for the Record

Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization
Meeting Minutes

March 5, 2026, Meeting

10:00 AM–12:30 PM, Zoom Video Conferencing Platform

David Mohler, Chair, representing Phillip Eng, Interim Secretary of Transportation and Chief Executive Officer of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)

Decisions

The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) agreed to the following:

• Approve the minutes of the February 19, 2026, meeting
• Endorse the proposed Transit Safety Performance Targets
• Approve the initial program development, Stage 1, of the Draft Federal Fiscal Years (FFYs) 2027–31 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
• Adopt the MPO’s Vision Zero Commitment Resolution
• Adopt the Vision Zero Action Plan

Meeting Agenda

1. Introductions

See attendance below.

2. Chair’s Report—David Mohler, MassDOT

There was none.

3. Executive Director’s Report—Tegin Teich, Executive Director, Central Transportation Planning Staff

T. Teich announced that the upcoming MPO meeting would be hybrid/in-person in downtown Boston. She shared three staffing updates as well as an update to the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness action grant. Finally, she previewed the meeting agenda.

4. Public Comments  

Documents posted to the MPO meeting calendar

• City of Boston Memo (pdf) (html)

Marzie Galazka, Town of Swampscott, advocated for the Swampscott Rail Trail to not be removed from the TIP.

Joe Fleury, Boston Public Works, advocated for programming the Cambridge Street Bridge project in FFY 2028.

Christian MilNeil, StreetsblogMASS, asked for information about the Columbus Avenue Phase II project. Matt Moran responded that the project is not currently scheduled to go before the Public Improvements Commission, but the City is working with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to reduce the impact to the project readiness timeline.

5. Committee Chairs’ Reports

Sam Taylor, MassDOT, reported that the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) Committee chose a discrete study scenario that included a continuing study on roadway pricing, a study on the impact of parking supply on property values, and a study exploring transit-oriented development opportunities in the region.

Jen Rowe, City of Boston, reported that the TIP Process, Engagement, and Readiness Committee discussed whether to approve project cost increases and whether to make limited exceptions to the MPO’s readiness guidelines for certain types of low-risk projects.

6. Community Advisory Council Report—Caitlin Allen-Connelly, Chair, Community Advisory Council

C. Allen-Connelly shared updates from the UPWP and TIP Process, Engagement, and Readiness Committees and stated that the next Community Advisory Council meeting would be held March 9, 2:00 PM.

7. Action Item: Approval of February 19, 2026, MPO Meeting Minutes

Documents posted to the MPO meeting calendar

• Minutes (pdf) (html)

Vote

A motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of February 19, 2026, was made by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) (Eric Bourassa) and seconded by the City of Boston (J. Rowe). The motion carried.

8. Action Item: Transit Safety Performance Targets—Adriana Jacobsen, MPO Staff

Documents posted to the MPO meeting calendar

• Memo (pdf) (html)

A. Jacobsen shared an overview of performance-based planning and programming. She then described transit safety performance targets for the MBTA, Cape Ann Transportation Authority (CATA), and MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA).

Discussion

Len Diggins, Town of Arlington, asked about targets set higher than in previous years. S. Taylor clarified that the increased target is a metric that has only recently been tracked; thus, the average is still fluctuating.

C. Allen-Connelly asked about penalties for missing targets. Sandy Johnston, MBTA, responded that he would get her in touch with someone from the MBTA’s Safety Department.

Vote

A motion to endorse the proposed transit safety performance targets, was made by the Town of Arlington (L. Diggins) and seconded by the City of Boston (Matt Moran). The motion carried.

9. FFYs 2027–31 TIP Project Scoring and Rescoring Update—Adriana Jacobsen, MPO Staff

Documents posted to the MPO meeting calendar

• Project Descriptions (pdf) (html)

A. Jacobsen shared scores for new and returning projects, and scores for existing projects that were rescored.

Discussion

L. Diggins asked about the Quincy Bluebikes Expansion project’s score. A. Jacobsen clarified that the project location is in an area with less bike infrastructure currently than places like Somerville or Boston. L. Diggins also asked about scores for CATA projects. A. Jacobsen explained that these projects are mostly service expansions without a physical location, which reduces their score in the TIP evaluation system.

John Strauss, Town of Burlington, asked about the reduction in the Woburn Common project’s score. A. Jacobsen explained that it was due to a discrepancy between the older and current TIP evaluation system.

10. Action Item: Draft FFYs 2027–31 TIP Initial Program Development Stage 1—Ethan Lapointe, MPO Staff

Documents posted to the MPO meeting calendar

• Stage 1 TIP Development (pdf) (html)

E. Lapointe summarized recent TIP development concerns and objectives. He then explained the iterative process for this year’s development. He explained that today’s focus is on making decisions about design funding, community connections, certain bikeshare, and smaller or returning transit projects. Also, the board would be considering projects programmed in FFY 2027/28 that cost less than $5 million.

He shared a summary of proposed changes and the financial impact. He also previewed the FFYs 2026-30 TIP Amendment Three.

Discussion

Dennis Giombetti, MetroWest Regional Collaborative (City of Framingham), asked for slides at the next meeting illustrating the regional equity of project changes.

E. Bourassa asked if the fill-in projects voted on today would affect projects that proponents have requested to be moved. E. Lapointe responded that it would not.

John Romano, MassDOT, asked if projects added today could be moved or removed at a later meeting. E. Laponte responded yes, but noted that staff are hoping for a commitment to allow for consideration of larger dollar value projects at later meetings.

D. Mohler asked if there are any projects costing less than $5 million that are not recommended. E. Lapointe responded yes, noting that there are two bike projects costing less than $10,000 that are better suited to be funded by other state and local sources. D. Mohler also asked about the impacts of “locking in” $7 million of funding at this time. E. Bourassa clarified that any decision can be reexamined under Robert’s Rules and advocated for voting to commit to these projects with the understanding that decisions can always be changed.

Vote

A motion to adopt the initial series of projects and changes into the development of the FFYs 2027-31 TIP, was made by MAPC (E. Bourassa) and seconded by the Town of Burlington (J. Strauss). The motion carried.

11. Action Items: Boston Region Vision Zero Action Plan: A Roadmap to Safer Streets—Ali Kleyman, MPO Staff

Documents posted to the MPO meeting calendar

• Vision Zero Resolution (pdf)
• Vision Zero Executive Summary (pdf) (html)
• Vision Zero Appendix A (pdf) (html)
• Vision Zero Appendix B (pdf) (html)
• Vision Zero Appendix C (pdf) (html)
• Vision Zero Appendix D (pdf) (html)
• Vision Zero Appendix E (pdf)
• Vision Zero Appendix F (pdf) (html)
• Vision Zero Appendix G (pdf) (html)
• Vision Zero Action Plan (pdf) (html)
• Vision Zero Handout (pdf) (html)

A. Kleyman summarized the Vision Zero Commitment Resolution and final Vision Zero Action Plan. She explained updates to the recommended actions since public engagement occurred.

Discussion

L. Diggins shared his desire for further action on education for young people and autonomous vehicles.

S. Johnston and J. Rowe shared their gratitude to staff and the task force for their work on an important regional priority.

Vote

A motion to adopt the MPO’s Vision Zero Commitment Resolution, was made by MAPC (E. Bourassa) and seconded by the City of Somerville (Tom Bent). The motion carried.

A motion to adopt the Vision Zero Action Plan, was made by MAPC (E. Bourassa) and seconded by the City of Somerville (T. Bent). The motion carried.

12. MWRTA and CATA Capital Investment Plans (CIP)—Tyler Terrasi, MWRTA, and Felicia Webb, CATA

T. Terrasi gave an overview of MWRTA communities and how the CIP is incorporated into regional and state plans. He explained projects and ongoing initiatives and said that the MWRTA has a current balance of $1,180,162.

F. Webb provided an overview of CATA communities, explained CATA’s FFY 2027-31 scenario, and gave updates on current projects.

13. Members’ Items

There were none.

14. Adjourn

A motion to adjourn was made by the City of Boston (J. Rowe) and seconded by the City of Somerville (T. Bent). The motion carried.

Attendance

CIVIL RIGHTS NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

Welcome. Bem Vinda. Bienvenido. Akeyi. 欢迎. 歡迎 .

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