Mayor A C Wharton Announces Recertification of the Memphis Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Transportation Funding Department of Memphis & Shelby County by
FHWA, FTA, TDOT, and MDOT
(Memphis MPO Meeting & Recertification Today, December 20, at 1:30 PM at
Central Station Board Room, 545 S. Main St.)
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Memphis, TN. - Mayor Wharton will chair the Memphis MPO Transportation Policy Board meeting this afternoon at 1:30 PM at Central Station. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and the Mississippi and Tennessee Department of Transportation (MDOT &TDOT) will re-certify the Memphis MPO with no corrective actions. Federal requirements mandate that MPOs are certified every four years.
The Memphis MPO was de-certified for a three month period for 12 federal corrective actions four years ago in November 2003. Once a MPO is "de-certified," in funding lapse, transportation funding is stopped. Federal funding for transportation projects and programs is channeled through the MPO. Without federal surface transportation program funds and congestion mitigation air quality funds, Shelby County, Fayette County and DeSoto County are not able to develop transportation networks.
The Memphis MPO is the transportation policy-making body, made up of representatives from local government and transportation agencies, with authority and responsibility in metropolitan planning areas. Federal legislation passed in the early 1970's required the formation of a MPO for any urbanized area with a population greater than 50,000. MPOs were created in order to ensure that existing and future expenditures for transportation projects and programs were based on a continuing, cooperative and comprehensive planning process.
Transportation helps shape our economic health and quality of life. Not only does transportation provide for the mobility of people, goods and services, it also influences patterns of growth and economic activity by providing access to land. The performance of the transportation system affects public policy concerns like air quality, environmental resource consumption, social equity, land use and urban growth, economic development, safety, and security.
The Memphis MPO receives approximately $199 million annually through various locally-sponsored funding sources (surface transportation, high priority projects - earmarks, intelligent transportation system, enhancement, bridge repair, cmaq).
A copy of the report will be available at the meeting today.
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