2030 Transportation Policy Plan Update

The Metropolitan Council is currently updating its Transportation Policy Plan, adopted in 2004. The Council is required, under both state and federal law, to develop a multi-modal regional transportation plan that identifies transportation system goals, needs, and priorities over a 20-year period. A draft plan is now available for public information meetings and comments. See the draft plan.

Why update the plan now?

Federal rules require that the long-range metropolitan Transportation Plan comply with the legislation establishing the federal transportation program, which is known as the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The long-range plan must be developed consistent with content and process provisions outlined in SAFETEA-LU. This law requires that the plan be updated every four years, which means the plan update is due by the end of 2008.

One of the most significant provisions is that the plan must balance planned investments with revenues that are reasonably expected to be available within the time frame of the plan. Therefore, a new revenue outlook that reflects the changes made in state law in 2008 will shape the Council’s future direction, requiring a more comprehensive long-range planning approach to investments and decision-making.

In addition, since the last Transportation Policy Plan update in 2004, new issues and opportunities have arisen that should be addressed in the updated plan.

What is in the plan?

The TPP contains a summary of the current transportation conditions and long-range plans for the region’s highway, transit, aviation, and non-motorized transportation systems based on the regional forecasted needs. The TPP responds to all of the federal and state requirements, ensuring that the region remains eligible for federal transportation funds.

How will it be prepared?

The TPP is being prepared in coordination with Mn/DOT, MAC, and the Council’s own Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) and its Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). In addition, task forces have helped to prepare the bicycle, pedestrian, and aviation plans.

2030 TPP Update PowerPoint (pdf)