WMRPC – Transportation Planning

TRANSPORTATION PLANNING

MDOT Transportation Work Program

Each year, the WMRPC receives state funds under the statewide “Regional Transportation Planning” program as legislated by Act 51’s Michigan Transportation Fund (MTF). The WMRPC’s work program includes the following activities:

Administration – Provide program and financial status accounts, which satisfy requirements of the Regional Agency and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), and to provide program administration and management support.

Technical Assistance to MDOT – Assist in various tasks to update the Statewide Long-Range Plan (SLRP), and a State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Included are potential coordination and hosting of public involvement meetings as required.

Also, assistance in various tasks in addressing specific Department issues, projects and programs, such as road, transit, non-motorized, rail, marine, airport, State Planning and Research (SPR) Program, Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Program, Enhancement (ENH) Program, Heritage Route (Scenic By-Ways) Program and other Department projects, programs, and issues. Work with MDOT as appropriate through the Program Coordinator and Manager, MDOT Regions and Transportation Service Center (TSC)’s, to reach mutual agreement of processes and resources in conducting such work.

HPMS Update – Assist MDOT by annually updating sample segment data in accordance with the Highway Performance Management System (HPMS), Traffic Monitoring Guide (TMG), and AASHTO guidelines, as provided by MDOT. Completion by December 31 of each calendar year.

Traffic Counting – Develop an on-going program for obtaining traffic volume data and determining AADT for strategic locations within the region, and assist the Department in obtaining supplemental counts, i.e., assistance in TEA-21 activities, and counts provided to developers, local jurisdictions, and others.

Public Involvement – Assist MDOT in providing the public an opportunity, as appropriate, to review and comment on activities related to this Program.

Technical Assistance – Provide services to local transportation oriented entities with activities to improve existing transportation systems, add new transportation systems, and address local transportation issues directly relating to future actions to improve the area's transportation system.

Corridor Studies

The WMRPC has assisted in the development of three corridor studies in Region 8. These studies emphasize communities working together to enhance the capacity and safety of existing corridors through access management. Access management relates to the rational placement of entrances to corridors to reduce conflict between through traffic and traffic exiting or entering the corridor. Examples of access management include consolidation of driveways, aligning intersections, and service drives for connected businesses. MDOT has funded three studies in Region 8.

M-40/M-89 Corridor – This corridor study began in 1998 and continues today with quarterly meetings of the M-40/M-89 Corridor Committee. The study area stretches from the northwest corner of Allegan County to the southeast corner and passes through numerous townships and cities.

M-66 Corridor – This corridor study began in 2000 and continues today with quarterly meetings of the M-66 Corridor Committee. The original study area was between I-96 and the City of Ionia, but now includes the entire section of M-66 in Ionia County.

M-104 Corridor – This corridor study occurred in 2004 and involved two townships, one city, one village, Ottawa County Planning and Grants, the Ottawa County Road Commission, MDOT, and the WMRPC. The study area included M-104 from I-96 through the Village of Spring Lake.

Grand Region Road and Trail Bicycling Guide

Click the above link to access a PDF version of the non-motorized transportation map. Printed copies are also available at our offices.

TRANSPORTATION AGENCIES

Michigan Department of Transportation

MDOT's Grand Region

The counties within Region 8 that are served by MDOT's Grand Region are Ionia, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, and Ottawa. The Grand Region Office –

1420 Front Avenue, NW

Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Phone: 616-451-3091

MDOT's Southwest Region

The county within Region 8 that is served by MDOT's Southwest Region: Allegan.

1501 Kilgore Road

Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Phone: 269-337-3900