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Federal Transportation Bill Update and MPO Population. Polk Transportation Planning Organization June 16, 2011. MPO Size Requirements. Congress is currently working on an new surface transportation reauthorization bill that will replace the current bill – SAFETEA-LU.
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Federal Transportation Bill Update and MPO Population Polk Transportation Planning Organization June 16, 2011
MPO Size Requirements Congress is currently working on an new surface transportation reauthorization bill that will replace the current bill – SAFETEA-LU. Last month a Draft US DOT proposal was made available. Tier 1 MPOs: >1M Urbanized Area Population Tier 2 MPOs: 200K - 1M Urbanized Area Population MPOs with UA populations currently < 200K would effectively be eliminated. Transportation Reauthorization Bill
MPO Size Requirements Currently, there are 26 MPOs in the State of Florida. This proposal would affect nine (9) MPOs that have urbanized area populations less than 200K per the 2000 Census, including Polk. However, we are expecting Polk’s urbanized area population to exceed 200K as a result of the 2010 Census when it is released next year. Transportation Reauthorization Bill
MPO Size Requirements Since 1973, the designation threshold for MPOs has been set at 50,000 in urban areas. This would lead to the creation of 30 – 50 new MPOs throughout the country as a result of the 2010 Census. For years there has been talk of scaling back the number of MPOs and/or raising the UA population threshold for the creation of MPOs. Transportation Reauthorization Bill
MPO Size Requirements At the July 28th MPOAC meeting in Orlando this topic will be on the agenda. MPOAC will be asked to support a resolution that: • The urban area population threshold for the designation of new MPOs should be set no higher than 100,000. • Any changes to MPO composition or structure should occur through incentives and local approval, rather than forced through changes to federal or state law and regulations. • Recognizing the important role existing MPOs play in urbanized areas, any legislative or regulatory change should grandfather all existing MPOs and provide for their continued operation. Transportation Reauthorization Bill