Financial Summary & Fiscal Constraint Information
The tables below show the total funding needed to implement the transportation improvements included in this five-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
Programmed expenditures account for annual inflation rates ranging from 2.79% to 3.20%, as requested by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). These rates were applied to all projects except local projects submitted with inflation already included. The inflation rates are also reflected in the individual project listings.
Transportation Funding by Geographic Area (2027–2031)
The table below summarizes funding programmed for transportation improvement projects and programs in Dane County from 2027–2031, expressed in year-of-expenditure dollars. Funding for 2031 is included for informational purposes only.
Funding is organized by federal, state, and local sources and separated by projects within the Madison Metropolitan Planning Area and those in the outer areas of Dane County.
Note: To be added.
Federal Transportation Funding: Programmed vs. Available (2027–2031)
The tables below compare programmed transportation expenditures with estimated available federal funding from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) within the Madison Metropolitan Planning Area. All amounts are expressed in year-of-expenditure dollars.
The comparison covers the 2027–2030 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), with 2031 included for informational purposes only.
The Interstate 39/90/94 Capacity Expansion project from Hanson Road to the North County Line (NCL) is excluded from this analysis because fiscal constraint for this project is addressed at the state level.
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Funding
| Funding Program | Programmed 2027 | Programmed 2028 | Programmed 2029 | Programmed 2030 | Programmed 2031 | Available 2027 | Available 2028 | Available 2029 | Available 2030 | Available 2031 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATTAIN | $1,295,289 | $2,697,445 | $387,254 | $0 | $0 | $1,295,289 | $2,697,445 | $387,254 | $0 | $0 |
| Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation | $1,724,519 | $1,180,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $1,724,519 | $1,180,000 | — | $0 | $0 |
| Carbon Reduction Program | $0 | $3,017,176 | $0 | $0 | $0 | — | $3,017,176 | — | $0 | $0 |
| HSIP – Rail Highway Protective Devices | $1,603,000 | $236,507 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $1,603,000 | $236,507 | — | $0 | $0 |
| HSIP Highway Safety Improvement Program | $1,917,125 | $0 | $397,923 | $975,000 | $2,524,823 | $1,917,125 | — | $397,923 | $975,000 | $2,524,823 |
| National Highway Performance Program | $45,262,972 | $14,586,627 | $39,446,747 | $36,090,531 | $89,391,480 | $45,262,972 | $14,586,627 | $39,446,747 | $36,090,531 | $89,391,480 |
| Surface Transportation Block Grant Program – Madison Urban Area Sub-allocation | $11,313,074 | $12,234,301 | $9,143,212 | $8,973,229 | $10,840,465 | $11,428,625 | $10,848,800 | $10,232,282 | $10,516,354 | $12,065,659 |
| Surface Transportation Block Grant Program – Small Urban/Rural Area | $0 | $0 | $2,534,000 | $0 | $0 | — | — | $2,534,000 | $0 | $0 |
| Surface Transportation Block Grant Program – State Flexibility | $9,730,638 | $9,685,391 | $6,541,931 | $48,480,000 | $46,674,810 | $9,730,638 | $9,685,391 | $6,541,931 | $48,480,000 | $46,674,810 |
| Surface Transportation Block Grant Program – Transportation Alternatives Set Aside | $3,617,000 | $1,271,000 | $1,230,340 | $1,664,456 | $0 | $3,312,495 | $1,158,539 | $1,351,358 | $1,584,041 | $0 |
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Funding
| Funding Program | Programmed 2027 | Programmed 2028 | Programmed 2029 | Programmed 2030 | Programmed 2031 | Available 2027 | Available 2028 | Available 2029 | Available 2030 | Available 2031 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5307 | $17,858,000 | $14,583,000 | $14,737,000 | $1,022,000 | $1,036,000 | $17,858,000 | $14,583,000 | $14,737,000 | $1,022,000 | $1,036,000 |
| 5309 | $118,132,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $118,132,000 | — | — | $0 | $0 |
| 5311 | $2,130,335 | $2,130,335 | $2,130,335 | $2,130,335 | $2,130,335 | $2,130,335 | $2,130,335 | $2,130,335 | $2,130,335 | $2,130,335 |
| 5337 | $2,555,000 | $2,690,000 | $2,725,000 | $2,762,000 | $2,800,000 | $2,555,000 | $2,690,000 | $2,725,000 | $2,762,000 | $2,800,000 |
| 5339 | $1,930,000 | $1,930,000 | $1,930,000 | $1,930,000 | $1,930,000 | $1,930,000 | $1,930,000 | $1,930,000 | $1,930,000 | $1,930,000 |
Notes and Methodology
- Fiscal-year conventions: Programmed expenditures and estimated available funding are generally reported by calendar year. However, estimated available funding for the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG) Madison Urban Area sub-allocation and the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Set-Aside Program is reported by federal fiscal year.
- Transit funding: Transit funding has not yet been fully programmed and is based on identified needs and anticipated future funding levels. See the Madison Metro Transit System — Projected Expenses and Revenues tables for additional information.
Fiscal-Constraint Assessment
The four-year totals indicate that estimated funding is reasonably expected to be available to cover programmed expenditures for the 2027–2030 TIP.
In some years, programmed expenditures may appear to exceed estimated available funding. This can occur for several reasons:
- Previously programmed projects: Projects selected in an earlier TIP may remain listed even if they do not require additional funding, such as certain transit capital projects.
- Large transportation projects: Projects such as freeway reconstruction may be programmed by WisDOT over multiple years and authorized using FHWA Advance Construction allowances or funded through alternative sources not reflected in this fiscal-constraint analysis.
- Differences in fiscal years: The TIP uses calendar years, while the State fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30. Depending on when federal funding becomes available, expenditures scheduled for a particular calendar year may appear to exceed estimated available funding.
These factors help explain differences between programmed expenditures and estimated available funding in individual years while maintaining fiscal constraint across the four-year TIP period.
Projected Transportation Expenses and Revenues (2027–2031)
The tables below summarize projected expenses and revenues for transportation projects in the Madison Metropolitan Area, expressed in year-of-expenditure dollars.
Projected Expenses
State & Federal
| Expense Category | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 | 2027–2031 Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Highway Operations and Maintenance | $10,917 | $11,237 | $11,551 | $11,899 | $12,279 | $57,884 |
| Federal Construction (NHPP, STBG FLEX, HSIP) Funding | $58,514 | $22,292 | $46,387 | $58,139 | $138,591 | $323,922 |
| State Construction Funding | $84,142 | $10,971 | $10,153 | $39,928 | $34,377 | $179,571 |
| Subtotal | $153,573 | $44,501 | $68,090 | $109,965 | $185,247 | $561,377 |
Dane County & Communities
| Expense Category | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 | 2027–2031 Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Street Operations and Maintenance | $70,938 | $73,016 | $75,054 | $77,313 | $79,787 | $376,107 |
| Street Construction | $76,427 | $78,667 | $80,862 | $83,295 | $85,961 | $405,212 |
| Street-Related Facilities | $14,637 | $15,065 | $15,486 | $15,952 | $16,462 | $77,602 |
| Subtotal | $162,002 | $166,748 | $171,401 | $176,560 | $182,210 | $858,921 |
Metro Transit
| Expense Category | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 | 2027–2031 Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital Expenses | $10,074 | $11,116 | $11,454 | $11,801 | $12,166 | $56,610 |
| Operating Expenses | $92,175 | $95,429 | $98,806 | $102,309 | $105,584 | $494,303 |
| Subtotal | $102,249 | $106,545 | $110,259 | $114,110 | $117,750 | $550,913 |
Total Projected Expenses
| 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 | 2027–2031 Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $417,824 | $317,794 | $349,750 | $400,635 | $485,208 | $1,971,211 |
Projected Revenues
State & Federal
| Revenue Category | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 | 2027–2031 Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Highway Operations and Maintenance | $10,917 | $11,237 | $11,551 | $11,899 | $12,279 | $57,884 |
| Federal Construction (NHPP, STBG FLEX, HSIP) Funding | $58,514 | $22,292 | $46,387 | $58,139 | $138,591 | $323,922 |
| State Construction Funding | $84,142 | $10,971 | $10,153 | $39,928 | $34,377 | $179,571 |
| Subtotal | $153,573 | $44,501 | $68,090 | $109,965 | $185,247 | $561,377 |
Dane County & Communities
| Revenue Category | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 | 2027–2031 Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Street Operations and Maintenance | $70,938 | $73,016 | $75,054 | $77,313 | $79,787 | $376,107 |
| Street Construction | $76,427 | $78,667 | $80,862 | $83,295 | $85,961 | $405,212 |
| Street-Related Facilities | $14,637 | $15,065 | $15,486 | $15,952 | $16,462 | $77,602 |
| Subtotal | $162,002 | $166,748 | $171,401 | $176,560 | $182,210 | $858,921 |
Metro Transit
| Revenue Category | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 | 2027–2031 Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital Revenues | $10,074 | $11,116 | $11,454 | $11,801 | $12,166 | $56,610 |
| Operating Revenues | $92,175 | $95,429 | $98,806 | $102,309 | $105,584 | $494,303 |
| Subtotal | $102,249 | $106,545 | $110,259 | $114,110 | $117,750 | $550,913 |
Total Projected Revenues
| 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 | 2027–2031 Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $417,824 | $317,794 | $349,750 | $400,635 | $485,208 | $1,971,211 |
Metro Transit Financial Capacity Summary
The tables below summarize Metro Transit's fixed-route ridership, revenue service, operating expenses, and passenger revenue. They also present projected expenses and revenues for the Metro Transit system from 2026–2031, expressed in year-of-expenditure dollars.
Metro Transit Fixed-Route System: Revenue Service Statistics
Source: Metro Transit National Transit Database (NTD) Reports.
Revenue Service Statistics (2006–2024)
| Year | Total Passengers | Revenue Vehicle Hours | Passengers/Revenue Vehicle Hour | Passenger Revenue | Revenue/Passenger | Operating Expenses | Expense/Passenger | Revenue as % Expense |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9,176,868 | 434,503 | 21.1 | $8,507,697 | $0.93 | $62,852,017 | $6.85 | 13.5% |
| 2023 | 9,403,885 | 379,142 | 24.8 | $9,345,849 | $0.99 | $57,399,114 | $6.10 | 16.3% |
| 2022 | 8,287,021 | 345,899 | 24.0 | $8,384,512 | $1.01 | $51,022,930 | $6.16 | 16.4% |
| 2021 | 5,390,018 | 333,245 | 16.2 | $8,329,002 | $1.55 | $50,061,816 | $9.29 | 16.6% |
| 2020 | 4,693,426 | 309,446 | 15.2 | $7,725,570 | $1.65 | $49,175,986 | $10.48 | 15.7% |
| 2019 | 12,856,514 | 403,570 | 31.9 | $12,403,091 | $0.96 | $49,447,862 | $3.85 | 25.1% |
| 2018 | 13,230,698 | 406,410 | 32.6 | $12,630,370 | $0.95 | $48,018,558 | $3.63 | 26.3% |
| 2017 | 12,817,077 | 404,395 | 31.7 | $12,847,443 | $1.00 | $47,343,970 | $3.69 | 27.1% |
| 2016 | 13,305,291 | 403,825 | 32.9 | $12,799,840 | $0.96 | $46,920,051 | $3.53 | 27.3% |
| 2015 | 14,358,261 | 405,802 | 35.4 | $12,953,527 | $0.90 | $46,116,510 | $3.21 | 28.1% |
| 2014 | 15,223,961 | 403,466 | 37.7 | $13,012,124 | $0.85 | $44,909,155 | $2.95 | 29.0% |
| 2013 | 14,740,736 | 391,100 | 37.7 | $12,596,966 | $0.85 | $43,031,329 | $2.92 | 29.3% |
| 2012 | 14,592,214 | 382,454 | 38.2 | $11,970,811 | $0.82 | $41,522,887 | $2.85 | 28.8% |
| 2011 | 14,923,970 | 383,107 | 39.0 | $11,712,963 | $0.78 | $42,090,315 | $2.82 | 27.8% |
| 2010 | 13,623,461 | 381,768 | 35.7 | $10,737,634 | $0.79 | $40,434,049 | $2.97 | 26.6% |
| 2009 | 13,588,426 | 372,134 | 36.5 | $9,992,237 | $0.74 | $40,547,797 | $2.98 | 24.6% |
| 2008 | 13,433,139 | 366,786 | 36.6 | $9,083,451 | $0.68 | $41,288,025 | $3.07 | 22.0% |
| 2007 | 12,672,334 | 367,130 | 34.5 | $8,721,876 | $0.69 | $36,199,459 | $2.86 | 24.1% |
| 2006 | 12,034,468 | 365,547 | 32.9 | $7,912,169 | $0.66 | $35,143,898 | $2.92 | 22.5% |
Revenue Service Statistics (1985–2005)
| Year | Total Passengers | Revenue Vehicle Hours | Passengers per Revenue Vehicle Hour | Passenger Revenue | Revenue per Passenger | Operating Expenses | Expense per Passenger | Revenue as % Expense |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 11,475,597 | 364,491 | 31.5 | $7,361,203 | $0.64 | $32,974,246 | $2.87 | 22.3% |
| 2004 | 10,962,345 | 365,826 | 30.0 | $6,295,638 | $0.57 | $31,732,151 | $2.89 | 19.8% |
| 2003 | 10,934,125 | 356,137 | 30.7 | $5,910,084 | $0.54 | $30,283,752 | $2.77 | 19.5% |
| 2002 | 10,895,089 | 363,063 | 30.0 | $6,172,079 | $0.57 | $30,029,568 | $2.76 | 20.6% |
| 2001 | 10,210,834 | 373,331 | 27.4 | $6,308,430 | $0.62 | $28,637,012 | $2.80 | 22.0% |
| 2000 | 10,065,495 | 385,072 | 26.1 | $5,821,511 | $0.58 | $28,232,128 | $2.80 | 20.6% |
| 1999 | 10,110,441 | 393,883 | 25.7 | $5,621,793 | $0.56 | $27,576,045 | $2.73 | 20.4% |
| 1998 | 10,097,867 | 344,204 | 29.3 | $5,862,692 | $0.58 | $25,548,528 | $2.53 | 22.9% |
| 1997 | 10,370,107 | 315,395 | 32.9 | $6,104,538 | $0.59 | $23,054,329 | $2.22 | 26.5% |
| 1996 | 9,816,095 | 321,778 | 30.5 | $5,914,372 | $0.60 | $22,355,149 | $2.28 | 26.5% |
| 1995 | 9,600,678 | 318,248 | 30.2 | $5,271,921 | $0.55 | $20,666,830 | $2.15 | 25.5% |
| 1994 | 9,655,615 | 311,884 | 31.0 | $5,422,093 | $0.56 | $19,962,607 | $2.07 | 27.2% |
| 1993 | 9,554,959 | 309,895 | 30.8 | $5,365,315 | $0.56 | $20,326,803 | $2.13 | 26.4% |
| 1992 | 9,560,739 | 309,992 | 30.8 | $5,078,327 | $0.53 | $19,147,083 | $2.00 | 26.5% |
| 1991 | 9,389,637 | 295,049 | 31.8 | $4,937,700 | $0.53 | $18,165,516 | $1.93 | 27.2% |
| 1990 | 9,096,485 | 293,995 | 30.9 | $4,663,216 | $0.51 | $16,498,683 | $1.81 | 28.3% |
| 1989 | 9,047,940 | 287,486 | 31.5 | $4,598,717 | $0.51 | $15,424,513 | $1.70 | 29.8% |
| 1988 | 9,540,787 | 308,777 | 30.9 | $4,734,182 | $0.50 | $15,249,227 | $1.60 | 31.0% |
| 1987 | 10,063,120 | 332,137 | 30.3 | $4,988,896 | $0.50 | $14,751,192 | $1.47 | 33.8% |
| 1986 | 11,301,361 | 314,795 | 35.9 | $4,965,555 | $0.44 | $14,178,969 | $1.25 | 35.0% |
| 1985 | 11,946,337 | 325,314 | 36.7 | $5,172,913 | $0.43 | $13,922,792 | $1.17 | 37.2% |
Notes
- Total Passengers: Includes all passenger boardings (unlinked trips), including those using cash fares, 10-ride cards, unlimited-ride passes, or transfers. It also includes free rides on campus circulators and rides by children age five and younger. Because of unlimited-ride passes, tracking linked trips is difficult. A 2024 on-board passenger survey found that approximately 20% of trips include a transfer.
- Revenue Vehicle Hours: Includes time when buses are available to passengers on routes, including recovery and layover time. Excludes deadhead travel, such as trips between the garage and a route or between routes.
- Inflation: Dollar amounts are not adjusted for inflation.
- Operating Expenses: Excludes depreciation, interest expenses, and capital leases and rentals.
Madison Metro Transit System — Projected Expenses and Revenues
The 2026 expenses and revenues are based on the City Executive Budget. All figures are preliminary estimates and are subject to final state and federal budget authorizations.
Differences between these projections and the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) project listings reflect the City's practice of budgeting Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding in the prior year's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
Projected Expenses
| Category | 2026 Budgeted | 2027 Projected | 2028 Projected | 2029 Projected | 2030 Projected | 2031 Projected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital Costs | $14,935,000 | $10,074,236 | $11,115,931 | $11,453,509 | $11,800,614 | $12,166,033 |
| Operating Costs | $87,255,551 | $92,174,580 | $95,429,047 | $98,805,687 | $102,309,161 | $105,584,398 |
| Total Costs | $102,190,551 | $102,248,816 | $106,544,978 | $110,259,196 | $114,109,774 | $117,750,431 |
Capital costs include fixed-asset and operating costs projected to be funded through FTA Sections 5307, 5337, and 5339, as well as other discretionary grants. These costs also include the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.
Operating costs are reported net of expenses funded by FTA Section 5307 grants. They include debt principal and interest but exclude depreciation.
Projected Revenues
| Category | 2026 Budgeted | 2027 Projected | 2028 Projected | 2029 Projected | 2030 Projected | 2031 Projected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTA Sections 5307, 5337, and 5339 Capital | $23,566,731 | $16,706,741 | $16,326,148 | $15,971,638 | $16,305,810 | $16,648,559 |
| State Section 85.20 | $18,343,703 | $18,400,000 | $18,400,000 | $18,400,000 | $18,400,000 | $18,400,000 |
| Farebox and Other Revenue | $19,259,980 | $22,289,000 | $20,344,000 | $20,674,140 | $21,010,135 | $21,352,096 |
| Local Funds — Madison | $28,220,445 | $30,573,076 | $36,194,830 | $39,475,018 | $42,183,277 | $44,652,908 |
| Other Local Funds | $12,799,692 | $14,280,000 | $15,280,000 | $15,738,400 | $16,210,552 | $16,696,869 |
| Total Revenues | $102,190,551 | $102,248,816 | $106,544,978 | $110,259,196 | $114,109,774 | $117,750,431 |
Notes
- Section 5307 Funding: Eligible operating expenses include preventive maintenance, tire leasing, planning, and related activities.
- Sections 5337 and 5339 Funding: FTA Section 5337 (State of Good Repair) and Section 5339 (Bus and Bus Facilities) are formula funding programs established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Projected funding levels are based on authorized funding.
- State Section 85.20 Funding: Funding is assumed to remain constant throughout the projection period, with no annual increases.
- Capital Financing: General obligation (G.O.) debt is used to finance major capital expenses. Smaller capital expenses are assumed to be funded through current-year taxes and are included under “Local Funds — Madison."
Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Urban Funds
The Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Urban program, formerly known as the Surface Transportation Program (STP) Urban, provides federal funding for a wide range of transportation improvements in the Madison Urban Area.
Originally established under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA), the program has continued through subsequent federal transportation legislation, including TEA-21, SAFETEA-LU, MAP-21, the FAST Act, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
Along with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5307 formula funding allocated annually to Metro Transit, STBG Urban funding is a primary source of federal support for local transportation improvements in the Madison Urban Area. A summary of STBG Urban funds programmed for 2027–2031 is provided in the funding tables above.
Project Selection and Funding
Local governments and Dane County are invited to submit STBG Urban project proposals every two years as part of the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) development process.
MPO staff evaluate, score, and rank submitted projects, then review the evaluations with the Technical Coordinating Committee before the MPO Policy Board makes final funding decisions.
Requests for STBG Urban funding typically exceed the amount available. To distribute limited funding across more projects, the MPO Policy Board has adjusted its cost-sharing policy over time:
- 2010: Changed the federal/local cost share from 80/20 to 50/50 for major STP Urban projects.
- 2015: Increased the federal share to 60%, with a 40% local match, beginning with newly programmed projects for 2019–2020.
- 2023: Increased the federal share to 65%, with a 35% local match, beginning with newly programmed projects for the 2025–2029 program cycle.