As part of the metropolitan planning requirements, the Johnson City MTPO develops and regularly updates a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The purpose of the TIP is to identify and program all transportation projects within the Johnson City MPA that are funded by federal programs in Titles 23 (Highways) and 49 (Transportation) of the USC. The TIP is cooperatively developed at least every four (4) years by the Johnson City MTPO administrative staff in conjunction with its member jurisdictions, Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Johnson City Transit (JCT). The TIP is included by reference in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and adopted by the Johnson City MTPO Executive Board and the Governor of the State of Tennessee. The TIP contains all federally funded and regionally significant locally funded projects. The TIP includes proposed federally funded capital and non-capital surface transportation projects or project phases.

Once a draft TIP is completed, it is submitted to TDOT, FHWA, and FTA for comments. Once the comments have been adequately addressed, the TIP follows the process described in the Public Participation Plan to provide public notice and an opportunity for the public to comment. Once any public comments are addressed, the TIP is recommended for adoption by the Johnson City MTPO Executive Board. Then, the final TIP is forwarded to TDOT to be included by reference in the STIP and approved by FHWA and FTA.