WHAT IS THE UNIFIED PLANNING WORK PROGRAM?

The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) lists the transportation studies and tasks to be performed by the C-PCMPO staff. The annually updated UPWP contains several elements:

1. The planning tasks and studies that will be conducted over a one to two year period;
2. All federally funded studies as well as all relevant state and local planning activities conducted without federal funds;
3. Funding sources identified for each project; and
4. A schedule of activities and agency responsible for each task or study.

The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a financially constrained three-year program covering the most immediate implementation priorities for transportation projects and strategies from the metropolitan transportation plan. It is the region’s way of allocating its limited transportation resources among the various capital and operating needs of the area, based on a clear set of short-term transportation priorities. Under federal law, the TIP:

1. Covers a minimum three-year period of investment;
2. Is updated at least every two years;
3. Is fiscally constrained and not a wish list of projects;
4. Is approved by the C-PCMPO and the governor for air quality; and
5. Is incorporated into the statewide transportation improvement program (STIP).

WHAT IS THE LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN?

The Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) serves as a blueprint that details how the existing transportation system works and how local residents would like it to work in the future. In addition, it considers the protection of the value of investments already made in developing the transportation system, while providing resources to pursue innovative solutions to mobility constraints and enhancing travel choices available. For over 40 years, the MPO has been developing long-range plans of this type for our region.

The plan shall “include both long-range and short-range program strategies/actions that lead to the development of an integrated intermodal transportation system that facilitates the efficient movement of people and goods.” The plan has several elements:

1. Identify policies, strategies, and projects over 20 years;
2. Focus at a multi-modal level, including roadways, transit, non-motorized transportation, and inter-modal connections;
3. Articulate regional land use, development, housing, and employment goals and plans; and
4. Estimate costs and identify reasonably available financial sources for operation, maintenance, and capital investments.

WHAT IS THE SCOPE OF THE LRTP?

The LRTP guides the Columbus-Phenix City Metropolitan Area's transportation development over a 25-year period.  Updated every five years (last update being 2004), the plan will consider existing conditions, local needs, and anticipated growth in the region. The plan will encompass, the Columbus and Ft. Benning area in Georgia and Phenix City, Russell County and Lee County in Alabama.