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Memphis Metropolitan Planning Organization Problems Solved
Federal funding for road projects no longer in jeopardy

Nashville, Tennessee - The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) have approved a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for the Memphis Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for fiscal years 2004-2006, securing the flow of federal money for road construction and public transit projects to the area for the next two years. The MPO’s Long Range Plan also was found to be in conformity with the State Implementation Plan for air quality. TDOT was officially notified of the MPO’s program approval March 31, 2004, by the FHWA.

“The Memphis MPO’s two-year transportation program must receive the approval of both federal organizations to enable TDOT to transfer money for road projects,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “Earlier this year, the MPO did not meet its deadline to correct a number of deficiencies involving its transportation plan, and therefore, federal funding for future Memphis area projects was temporarily in jeopardy.”

Nicely credited Shelby County Mayor AC Wharton with being a key contributor in the approval process by providing strong leadership to resolve some of the issues the MPO members faced.

“We immediately went to work to correct the problems,” said Mayor Wharton. “This is an issue of pivotal importance to our community. Many people may not know about the MPO or what it does, but its successful leadership and involvement in the transportation planning, organization and growth of our area is key to our future. While in one respect the MPO's effect is long term, it has an immediate effect in the sense that it determines our eligibility for millions of dollars in federal funds and the many jobs created by the projects funded by those dollars.''

Under the leadership of Mayor Wharton and with the help of TDOT, the MPO revised its TIP to include a number of improvements suggested by the FHWA and FTA. The MPO is also restructuring its staff and has appointed a new acting coordinator.

“We changed a number of key elements in our plans as suggested by the FHWA and the FTA,” said Louise Mercuro, Acting MPO Coordinator. “For example, the Freight Planning Section was expanded to address all issues of intermodal freight including air, water, rail and roadways.”

Mercuro said congestion management plans for the Memphis area and prioritization of signalization, Intelligent Transportation Systems, and new capacity construction techniques were changed according to FHWA guidelines. “Plus our Financial Plan now fully explains and allocates our anticipated funding from state and federal sources as well as local funds for the construction of our roadways and mass transit components.

For Immediate Release: April 2, 2004

Memphis Metropolitan Planning Organization Problems Solved Federal funding for road projects no longer in jeopardy Nashville, Tennessee - The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) have approved a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for the Memphis Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for fiscal years 2004-2006, securing the flow of federal money for road construction and public transit projects to the area for the next two years. The MPO’s Long Range Plan also was found to be in conformity with the State Implementation Plan for air quality. TDOT was officially notified of the MPO’s program approval March 31, 2004, by the FHWA. “The Memphis MPO’s two-year transportation program must receive the approval of both federal organizations to enable TDOT to transfer money for road projects,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “Earlier this year, the MPO did not meet its deadline to correct a number of deficiencies involving its transportation plan, and therefore, federal funding for future Memphis area projects was temporarily in jeopardy.” Nicely credited Shelby County Mayor AC Wharton with being a key contributor in the approval process by providing strong leadership to resolve some of the issues the MPO members faced. “We immediately went to work to correct the problems,” said Mayor Wharton. “This is an issue of pivotal importance to our community. Many people may not know about the MPO or what it does, but its successful leadership and involvement in the transportation planning, organization and growth of our area is key to our future. While in one respect the MPO's effect is long term, it has an immediate effect in the sense that it determines our eligibility for millions of dollars in federal funds and the many jobs created by the projects funded by those dollars.'' Under the leadership of Mayor Wharton and with the help of TDOT, the MPO revised its TIP to include a number of improvements suggested by the FHWA and FTA. The MPO is also restructuring its staff and has appointed a new acting coordinator. “We changed a number of key elements in our plans as suggested by the FHWA and the FTA,” said Louise Mercuro, Acting MPO Coordinator. “For example, the Freight Planning Section was expanded to address all issues of intermodal freight including air, water, rail and roadways.” Mercuro said congestion management plans for the Memphis area and prioritization of signalization, Intelligent Transportation Systems, and new capacity construction techniques were changed according to FHWA guidelines. “Plus our Financial Plan now fully explains and allocates our anticipated funding from state and federal sources as well as local funds for the construction of our roadways and mass transit components. More information on the Memphis Metropolitan Planning Organizations Transportation Improvement Plan can be found at: http://www.dpdgov.com/RS/resourcedocs/rs.TIP-2002.1.pdf