2025-2028 Superior Area TIP (current)

Transportation projects receiving federal funding through 2028

The 2025-2028 Superior Area Transportation Improvement Program, or TIP, is a detailed listing of all transportation projects in the greater Superior, WI area that will receive federal funds for the next four years.

For a project to be constructed or implemented in the greater Superior area using federal funds, it must be included in a current Transportation Improvement Program, or TIP, that’s been developed through a process based on close jurisdictional coordination and approvals by the MIC Policy Board.

See the Public Involvement tab, below, for information about the project selection process, proposed changes (amendments and modifications) to the approved project list and ongoing opportunities for public comment.

Opportunity for Public Comment: Proposed Amendments #33-38

Three agencies have requested six Amendments (#33-38) to the 2025-2028 Superior TIP. They will brought forward for approval at the January 21, 2026 MIC Policy Board meeting. The meeting is open to the public and comments will be taken.

AMENDMENT 33 adds FY 2026 funding for IndiGO (North Country Independent Living Center) to continue its transportation voucher and volunteer driver program to eligible clients throughout an eight county area in northern Wisconsin.

AMENDMENT 34 adds FY 2026 funding for the Center for Independent Living to provide a volunteer drivers and travel coordination program to eligible clients throughout its 42-county service area (including Douglas County).

AMENDMENT 35 adds FY 2026 funding for the Center for Independent Living to operate a mobility management/call center funding staff members who coordinate rides for seniors and individuals with disabilities throughout its 42-county service area (including Douglas County).

AMENDMENT 36 changes the scope of WisDOT’s project 113-25-024 (St. Louis River Bridge) to redefine this project as Phase I & II and reduces the FY 2025 funding level from $1,400,000 to $435,000.

AMENDMENT 37 reduces the overall cost of construction work from $4,347,000 to $3,558,000 in FY 2026 for WisDOT’s project 113-25-034 associated with sanitary sewer work related to the Blatnik Bridge replacement project.

AMENDMENT 38 adds Phase III construction work and funding in FY 2026 for WisDOT’s project 113-25-053 associated with sanitary sewer work due to the Blatnik Bridge replacement project.

Details of Amendments #33-38

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

Amendments #19-28 Approved by the MIC Policy Board

Amendments #29-32

Opportunity for Public Comment: Proposed Amendments #29-32

WisDOT has requested four Amendments (#29-32) to the 2025-2028 Superior TIP. They will brought forward for approval at the December 10, 2025 MIC Policy Board meeting. The meeting is open to the public and comments will be taken.

AMENDMENTS #29 – 32 add funding in FY 2026 for for construction work to make improvements at various rail crossings, due to pending detours associated with the closure of the Blatnik Bridge. .

Details of Amendments #29-32

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

Amendments #19-28 Approved by the MIC Policy Board

Amendments 19-28

Opportunity for Public Comment: Proposed Amendments #19-28

WisDOT has requested ten Amendments (#19-28) to the 2025-2028 Superior TIP. They will brought forward for approval at the October 15, 2025 MIC Policy Board meeting. The meeting is open to the public and comments will be taken.

AMENDMENT #19 adds funding in FY 2026 for preliminary engineering work associated with bridge deck sealing at various locations on Highway 53.

AMENDMENT #20 adds funding in FY 2026 for water main construction work on Highway I-535 due to the upcoming Blatnik Bridge replacement project and roadway realignment.

AMENDMENTS #21-28 add funding in FY 2025 for rail crossing construction at nine locations, to make improvements in preparation for detours required during the upcoming Blatnik Bridge closure.

Details of Amendments #19-28

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

Amendments #14-18 Approved by the MIC Policy Board

Amendments #14-18

Opportunity for Public Comment: Proposed Amendments #14-18

WisDOT has requested five Amendments (#14-18) to the 2025-2028 Superior TIP. They will be presented for approval at the September 17, 2025 MIC Policy Board meeting. The meeting is open to the public and comments will be taken.

AMENDMENT #14: Funding increase and change in construction date from 2027 to 2028 for a pavement resurfacing project on US Hwy 2 in Superior.

AMENDMENT #15: New FY 2025 funding for preliminary engineering work for a new maintenance garage at rest area 23 south of Superior.

AMENDMENT #16: New FY 2028 funding for construction of a new maintenance garage at rest area 23 south of Superior.

AMENDMENT #17: New FY 2026 funding for sanitary sewer work on Hwy I-535 associated with the Blatnik Bridge replacement project.

AMENDMENT #18: New FY 2026 funding for lighting on Hwy I-535 associated with the Blatnik Bridge replacement project.

Details of Amendments #14-18

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

Public Notice: Administrative Modifications #1-16

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation requested 16 administrative modifications to the 2025-2028 Superior TIP. The modifications add narrative to selected projects to show the full project costs associated with the improvement project(s).

Adding the full associated project costs reflects current practices for calculating year of expenditure in WisDOT’s Environmental Documents. There are no changes to project description/activity, length, or funding or year of implementation.

Details of Administrative Modifications #1-16

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

Amendment #13 Approved by the MIC Policy Board

Amendment #13

Opportunity for Public Comment: Proposed Amendment #13

WisDOT has requested an Amendment (#13) to the 2025-2028 Superior TIP. It will be presented for approval at the August 20, 2025, MIC Policy Board meeting. The meeting is open to the public and comments will be taken.

AMENDMENT #13: Funding for a future Electric Vehicle Fast Charger project within one mile of US-53.

Details of Amendment #13

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

Amendments #8-12 Approved by the MIC Policy Board

Amendments #8-12

Opportunity for Public Comment: Proposed Amendments #8-12

WisDOT has requested five Amendments (#8-12) to the 2025-2028 Superior TIP. They will be presented for approval at the May 21, 2025 MIC Policy Board meeting. The meeting is open to the public and comments will be taken.

AMENDMENT #8: Funding for a real estate acquisition project associated with the Blatnik Bridge replacement project.

AMENDMENT #9: Funding for relocation programming associated with the Blatnik Bridge replacement project.

AMENDMENT #10: Funding for relocation programming associated with the Blatnik Bridge replacement project.

AMENDMENT #11: Funding for relocation programming associated with the Blatnik Bridge replacement project.

AMENDMENT #12: Funding for the design and sign relocation associated with the Blatnik Bridge replacement project.

Details of Amendments #8-12

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

Annual Listing of Obligated Projects (FY 2024)

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 Superior 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.

Amendments #1-7 Approved by the MIC Policy Board

Amendments #1-7

Opportunity for Public Comment: Proposed Amendments #1-7

WisDOT has requested seven Amendments (#1-7) to the 2025-2028 Superior TIP. They 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.

AMENDMENT #1: Funding for a Transportation Voucher Program, North Country Independent Living Center

AMENDMENT #2: Funding for a Mobility Manager, North Country Independent Living Center

AMENDMENT #3: Funding for a Transportation Voucher Program, Center for Independent Living

AMENDMENT #4: Funding for a Mobility Manager, Center for Independent Living

AMENDMENT #5: Funding for a Sanitary Sewer, St. Louis River Bridge

AMENDMENT #6: Funding for a Repaving Project along STH 35 from CTH B South to 69th Street

AMENDMENT #7: Bong Bridge Painting

Details of Amendments #1-7

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

FHWA/FTA Approval

The 2025-2028 WisDOT STIP was approved by the FHWA/FTA. The 2025-2028 Superior TIP is incorporated in the STIP by reference and is effective with this approval.

WisDOT Approval Received

Approval to include the Superior Area TIP in the WisDOT STIP was received, effective 12/13/24.

Note, until the WisDOT STIP is approved by the FTA and the FHWA, the 2024-2027 Superior Area TIP remains the current version.

2025-2028 Superior Area TIP Adopted by MIC Board

The Policy Board voted unanimously to adopt the final 2025-2028 Superior Area Transportation Improvement Program.  No public comments were received at the meeting.

Note, until this TIP is approved by WisDOT, the FTA and the FHWA, the Superior Area TIP for 2024-2027 remains the current version.

Final TIP to be presented for Adoption by MIC Policy Board (Opportunity for Public Comment)

The final 2025-2028 Superior Area TIP will be presented for adoption at the October 16 meeting of the MIC Policy Board.

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

Opportunity for Public Input

Superior TIP 2025-2028 Public Information Session
Date & Time
09/18/2024
12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
Location
Virtual Meeting - Join Online or by Phone (see info in post)
Purpose

Members of the public are invited and encouraged to join in this online meeting for information about the 2025-2028 Superior TIP, ask questions and give comments.

Microsoft Teams meeting — Join on your computer, mobile app or room device: Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 236 789 785 072
Passcode: PLaX3G

Or call in (audio only): +1 414-435-2017,,165235139#  /  Phone Conference ID: 124 256 624#

The draft TIP and proposed projects can be viewed in the attachments, below.

2025-2028-SuperiorMetroTIP-Draft_09-01-24.pdf
2025-2028-Superior-TIP-Projects.pdf

30-Day Public Comment Period Opens for Draft 2025-2028 Superior TIP

The draft 2025-2028 Superior TIP will be released for public review and comment, from September 1-30, 2024.

View the draft document under the “TIP Document and Project Maps” tab, below.

View legal notice, published 8/30/24 in the Superior Telegram.

2028 TIP Project Solicitation

Correspondence was sent to eligible agencies and jurisdictions soliciting CY 2028 multi-modal transportation projects.  Eleven new projects were submitted for inclusion:

Six roadway projects:

  • N 21st Street – Hammond Ave to Catlin Ave, Preliminary Engineering for Resurfacing  ($15,000) programmed in 2026
  • N 21st Street – Hammond Ave to Catlin Ave, Construction for Resurfacing  ($704,000) programmed in 2026
  • STH 35 – CTH B South to 69th Street, Right-of-Way Acquisition ($34,400) programmed in 2026
  • STH 13 – NW Region Thin Polymer Deck Overlay B-16-0053, Construction ($40,800) programmed in 2028
  • USH 53 – Solon Springs to Superior, Bridge Decks B-16-0012, 0033, 0034, 0048, 0080, Preliminary Engineering ($20,600) programmed in 2026
  • USH 53 – NW Region Deck Sealing B-16-0012 & B-16-0024, Construction ($15,000) programmed in 2028

Three railway projects:

  • STH 35 – Soo Line RR Xing 691643B / Milepost 279.59, Signals ($50,500) programmed in 2028
  • STH 35 – Soo Line RR Xing 691643B / Milepost 279.59, Surface Replacement ($197,000) programmed in 2028
  • Short Cut Road Town of Superior – BNSF RR Xing 086404J, Crossing Closure Incentive Payment ($30,000) programmed in 2025

Transit Operations:

  • Regular Route ($1,994,151)
  • Stride Route ($168,054)

Funded Projects

No projects match selected year

2025-2028 Superior Area TIP - Final

2025-2028-SuperiorMetroTIP-Final.pdf

Map of Projects Included in the 2025-2028 Superior TIP

2025-2028-Superior-TIP-Projects.pdf

Draft 2025-2028 Superior Area TIP - open for public comment 9/1/24 - 9/30/24

2025-2028-SuperiorMetroTIP-Draft_09-01-24.pdf

Environmental Justice Analysis -- Projects proposed for federal funding in the 2025-2028 Superior TIP (Draft)

2025-2028-Superior-TIP-Projects-EJ-Analysis.pdf


Programming federally-funded infrastructure projects for the next 4 years

Before a surface transportation project can be built in the Superior area using federal funds, it must be included in a Transportation Improvement Program, or TIP, that has been developed with an opportunity for public input and approved by the MIC Policy Board, WisDOT and the FHWA.

It is part of the MIC’s role as an MPO to develop an annual TIP. The MIC works with state and local agencies to prioritize and program the transportation projects and services that will receive the federal funds that are anticipated to be received for this area for the next four years.

The final, approved TIP lists all regionally significant transportation projects that will utilize federal funds for the next four years.  All projects are consistent with the transportation priorities of our region, as identified in our most recent long-range Metropolitan Transportation Plan.

TIP Development

We work with local community partners to prioritize how our increasingly scarce share of federal transportation dollars are spent.  It is a cooperative effort between the agencies and local jurisdictions responsible for implementing our area’s transportation projects* and involves a series of steps to reach the project approval stage.

All transportation projects in Superior that use federal funds must be programmed in a TIP that has been adopted by the MIC Policy Board, WisDOT and the FHWA. 

Each year, before it is presented for adoption by the MIC Board, the draft document is made available for input and comment by the MIC’s Transportation Advisory Committee, Policy Board and members of the public, as well as by WisDOT, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

The TIP development schedule, below, reflects coordination among the availability of funds, WisDOT program development, local capital improvement budgets and priorities, MPO public involvement requirements and the state-level TIP (STIP) development process.

  1. Project solicitation: MPO notifies eligible agencies and jurisdictions – June
  2. Draft TIP creation: July
  3. 30-day public comment period and WisDOT review: August
  4. Final TIP presented to MPO Policy Board for adoption: October
  5. Adopted TIP submitted to WisDOT for review and approval: November
  6. Adopted TIP submitted to FHWA for review and approval: November
  7. Adopted TIP incorporated into WisDOT statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP): November
  8. Approved by reference in the federally approved STIP: December

*Eligible agencies and jurisdictions include the state of Wisconsin (WisDOT), Douglas County, the City of Superior and the Duluth Transit Authority (DTA).

How are TIP projects selected?

All projects must be identified in the MIC’s current 25-year long range Metropolitan Transportation Plan. The MTP defines the Duluth-Superior area’s transportation goals and system needs, including:

  • Regional Benefit: What are the project’s 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 recommendations from the MIC’s 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 already been undertaken or will take place for the proposed project?

Amendments

Projects may be amended into the current, approved TIP throughout the year.  Amendments usually modify existing projects as changes occur to the scope, cost or timeline for programmed projects. 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 Measures

Federal legislation requires that the TIP includes a description of the anticipated effect of the projects funded in the TIP toward achieving the MIC’s performance measure targets, linking these annual infrastructure investments to improved performance of the transportation system.