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Frequently Asked Questions

Get to know more about Metropolitan Planning Organizations and MVP’s role in the Mat-Su Valley

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  • A Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is a federally mandated, federally funded transportation planning body made up of representatives from local governments and transportation authorities. There are more than 400 MPOs across the United States.

  • MPOs were established by the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1962 to promote regional cooperation in transportation planning. Any urbanized area with more than 50,000 people must have an MPO to ensure federal transportation funds are distributed through a continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive (“3-C”) planning process.

  • MPOs coordinate transportation planning across cities, boroughs, and agencies to ensure federal funds are invested wisely. They develop key regional plans, prioritize projects, and engage the public to guide investment decisions.

  • Every MPO develops and maintains four core planning documents:

    1. Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) – outlines MPO activities and budget for a two-year period.

    2. Public Participation Plan (PPP) – defines how the public is involved in the MPO’s decision-making process.

    3. Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) – the 20-year long-range transportation plan.

    4. Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) – the four-year list of projects ready for implementation

  • An MPO is governed by a Policy Board, made up of elected or appointed officials from local governments, the state Department of Transportation, and federal transportation agencies.
    A Technical Committee of planners and engineers provides analysis and recommendations for the Policy Board’s review

  • The boundary is set by agreement between the MPO and the Governor. It must include the entire urbanized area, plus any neighboring areas expected to become urbanized within the next 20 years.

  • The U.S. Census Bureau defines urbanized areas based on population density and development patterns. The most recent urbanized area boundaries were finalized in 2022 following the 2020 Census.

  • MVP receives approximately $400,000–$600,000 annually in federal funds to support planning activities. A 9.03% non-federal share is provided through membership dues from Policy Board jurisdictions.

    Federal transportation funds flow to MPOs through programs such as the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). MPOs also receive Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds for planning activities.

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  • A Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is a federally mandated, federally funded transportation planning body made up of representatives from local governments and transportation authorities. There are more than 400 MPOs across the United States.

  • MPOs were established by the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1962 to promote regional cooperation in transportation planning. Any urbanized area with more than 50,000 people must have an MPO to ensure federal transportation funds are distributed through a continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive (“3-C”) planning process.

  • MPOs coordinate transportation planning across cities, boroughs, and agencies to ensure federal funds are invested wisely. They develop key regional plans, prioritize projects, and engage the public to guide investment decisions.

  • Every MPO develops and maintains four core planning documents:

    1. Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) – outlines MPO activities and budget for a two-year period.

    2. Public Participation Plan (PPP) – defines how the public is involved in the MPO’s decision-making process.

    3. Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) – the 20-year long-range transportation plan.

    4. Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) – the four-year list of projects ready for implementation

  • An MPO is governed by a Policy Board, made up of elected or appointed officials from local governments, the state Department of Transportation, and federal transportation agencies.
    A Technical Committee of planners and engineers provides analysis and recommendations for the Policy Board’s review

  • The boundary is set by agreement between the MPO and the Governor. It must include the entire urbanized area, plus any neighboring areas expected to become urbanized within the next 20 years.

  • The U.S. Census Bureau defines urbanized areas based on population density and development patterns. The most recent urbanized area boundaries were finalized in 2022 following the 2020 Census.

  • Federal transportation funds flow to MPOs through programs such as the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). MPOs also receive Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds for planning activities.

  • MVP receives approximately $400,000–$600,000 annually in federal funds to support planning activities. A 9.03% non-federal share is provided through membership dues from Policy Board jurisdictions.

MatSu Valley Planning for Transportation

Contact

info@mvpmpo.com

(907) 921-2425

Location

PO Box 2587
Palmer, AK 99645

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