Transportation Funding

Central to its role as the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Kansas City region, the Mid-America Regional Council is responsible for facilitating the development of a long-range transportation plan that guides the investment of federal funds for surface transportation projects and programs.

The current plan, Connected KC 2050, outlines a vision, desired outcomes and strategies for our regional transportation system, and provides direction for the distribution of funding to local jurisdictions and organizations from four federal funding programs. The plan also guides other federal, state and local transportation investments in the region

Carbon Reduction Program

The Carbon Reduction Program funds projects designed to reduce transportation emissions, defined as carbon dioxide emissions, from on-road sources.

Carbon Reduction Program

Congestion Mitigation Air Quality

Federal Highway Administration funds for transportation projects that improve air quality.

Congestion Mitigation Air Quality

Surface Transportation Block Grant

Federal Highway Administration funds for roadway projects on the federal-aid highway system, capital improvements for public transportation and other multimodal projects. 

Surface Transportation Block Grant Program

Surface Transportation Block Grant Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside

Federal Highway Administration funds for smaller-scale transportation projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, recreational trails, community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation management, and environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity. 

Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside

Enhanced Mobility of Older Adults and People with Disabilities (Section 5310)

Federal Transit Administration funds to support the transport of older adults and people with disabilities. 

Enhanced Mobility of Older Adults and People with Disabilities

Regional growth and land use 

The bistate Planning Sustainable Places program works to advance detailed local planning and project development activities that further the creation of: 

  • Vibrant places that offer a mix of options for housing, jobs, services and recreation. 
  • Connected places with a variety of transportation options.
  • Green places that support healthy living and a healthy natural environment. 

In any funding cycle, transportation projects developed through the PSP program that advance regional transportation goals and objectives and meet all other programming requirements will be given priority for funding. 

The PSP program began in 2010 and continues to be funded with Surface Transportation Program funds. 

Planning Sustainable Places

Transportation safety 

MARC’s Destination Safe Coalition provides funding for local organizations and agencies to create innovative projects that work toward reducing traffic crash fatalities and serious injuries through education, emergency response and enforcement. The Transportation Safety Plan provides an in-depth analysis of regional crash data and focus areas, including strategies that will guide potential projects. While any non-infrastructure related projects are considered, the top focus areas are: 

  • Unrestrained occupants. 
  • Aggressive drivers 
  • Impaired drivers. 
  • Distracted drivers. 
  • Young motorists between the ages of 15-24. 

Funding comes from the Kansas Department of Transportation and the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety.

Transportation safety funding
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