Technical Advisory Committee recommends FFY 2027–28 Unified Planning Work Program to governing board

The Messia Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization Technical Advisory Committee voted June 4 to recommend the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2027–28 Unified Planning Work Program, or UPWP, to the MPO governing board.

Dominic, NPO staff, told the committee the UPWP is “a two‑year document that outlines transportation planning activities to be conducted by NPO staff,” and that the final UPWP contains the NPO’s budget and must be consistent with the Metropolitan Transportation Plan. He said the most significant addition is a work task supporting the High Mesa Road corridor on the west side of the valley.

Dominic said federal funding remains uncertain because the current federal transportation bill expires Sept. 30 and a new bill is still working its way through Congress. “Because of this we don't have the federal fiscal year 2027 numbers,” he said, adding that NMDOT instructed staff to use FY2026 figures for now. He also described the proposed local match breakdown for FHWA funds as based on population: City of Los Cusus 65.5%, Doña Ana County 33.5%, and the Town of Missile 1%.

After discussion, a member moved and another seconded a recommendation that the governing board adopt the UPWP. The committee approved the recommendation by voice vote; the motion will be forwarded to the MPO governing board for consideration at its upcoming meeting.

The committee and staff noted the UPWP’s assumptions could be revised if Congress finalizes a different funding level before the governing board acts; staff said they expect at least one continuing resolution if the federal bill is not adopted in time.