To meet federal requirements intended to ensure "fiscal constraint," the GO TO 2040 update includes a transportation financial plan that details how much funding is reasonably expected for all transportation investments between now and 2040. Major capital projects that have been evaluated to meet significant regional needs — and for which sufficient funds are anticipated to be available — are included in the list of "Fiscally Constrained Projects." While their costs are substantial, they represent less than three percent of the region's projected $371 billion available for transportation through 2040, with 97 percent going to maintenance and modernization.

While fiscally constrained projects are the highest priority, projects on the unconstrained list also have important benefits. Some of these are not far enough along to have firm cost estimates or clear alignment with regional priorities Others on the unconstrained list might benefit from innovative financing arrangements, which could reduce public costs and speed up implementation. In either case, a project may be reconsidered for inclusion on the fiscally constrained list upon availability of new details or changes in financing status.