Metropolitan Planning

Our role as Metropolitan Planning Organization

The Mid-America Regional Council serves as the council of governments for the nine counties and 119 cities in the Kansas City region and the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization for eight counties. Federal transportation laws require urban areas with more than 50,000 people designate an MPO to receive and spend federal highway or transit funds.

Establishing common goals and objectives

As the MPO — one of more than 300 such organizations across the U.S. — MARC is responsible for transportation planning. It convenes representatives from cities, counties, transit agencies, state departments of transportation and other entities to identify common objectives and achieve collective goals for the regional transportation system.

This includes both long- and short-range plans. MARC's Total Transportation Policy Committee oversees the allocation of millions of dollars in federal and state transportation funds each year.

Map showing MPO counties of Clay, Platte, Cass, Wyandotte, Johnson, Jackson, Ray, Miami and Leavenworth

Transportation planning process

Transportation planning is the process of identifying transportation-related needs and priorities and developing ways to address them. MARC provides a forum for our stakeholders and the public to come together and ensure that the plans and projects developed — and funded through federal and state dollars — help achieve a rising quality of life for everyone.

MARC’s transportation planning work includes:

  • Evaluating the impact of development and land-use patterns on the region’s transportation system.
  • Working with committees to establish funding priorities and strategies for managing the region’s transportation system.
  • Developing plans for long- and short-term transportation investments.
  • Guiding state and federal transportation dollars to projects that meet regional and local goals.
  • Coordinating technical and policy studies.
  • Promoting transportation choices through supporting public transit, bicycle and pedestrian travel, carpooling and vanpooling.

Transportation Public Input

Without the public's input and ideas, state and local planners cannot have a true understanding of a community’s needs. MARC’s goal is to have significant and ongoing public involvement in the transportation planning process. A period for public comment is provided for updates and major amendments to all primary transportation planning projects. 

Transportation Public Input
Transportation Committees

MARC's committees provide an opportunity for local governments, other stakeholders and residents to interact in addressing transportation and air quality issues. Committees help establish funding priorities and strategies for managing the region’s transportation system.

Transportation Committees
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