Item B: Regional Transportation Planning

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Although not currently done, it is possible for each jurisdiction to have its own TSP under the umbrella of a single, regional RTSP. When TransPlan was adopted in 2002, the Regional Transportation Plan covered the same geographic area covered by TransPlan. However, following the 2000 Census, the federal government designated the metropolitan area as a Transportation Management Area (metropolitan areas exceeding 200,000 population) that also included Coburg. TransPlan currently serves as both the TSP and RTSP for Eugene, Springfield, and metropolitan Lane County. However, this will need to change relatively soon so that the RTSP can also include Coburg. One scenario for accomplishing this change is for TransPlan to evolve into an RTSP that includes Coburg and for Eugene, Springfield, and Coburg to each have their own TSP. 3.Every other year, the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) adopts a new State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The STIP is similar to a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and its purpose is to identify, prioritize, fund, and schedule transportation projects and programs. The OTC adopted the 2008-11 STIP in the fall of 2007. The MPC has already approved regional priorities for the 2010-13 STIP and has provided guidance to the OTC for the STIP cycles that cover 2010-15 should a large transportation funding package be passed by the state legislature. Work on the 2012- 15 STIP would typically begin in early 2009 with OTC approval in late 2011. The STIP is intended to be consistent with TSPs that have been approved by local elected bodies. However, because the horizon year for TransPlan is 2015, it is problematic for the 2010-15 STIP to program funds in our metropolitan area. The TransPlan horizon year was chosen because the Eugene-Springfield population was projected to reach 286,000 by 2015 and both the Metro Plan and TransPlan are based on accommodating this population. However, due to slower than projected population growth, it is now expected that the city’s population will not reach that number until around 2023. 4.The Comprehensive Lands Assessment that is being conducted by the Planning Division in part to meet the requirements of House Bill 3337 may lead to proposed amendments to the Metro Plan. It will be important for any TransPlan updates to be consistent with land use assumptions or policy direction the council provides following the conclusion of the comprehensive lands assessment and analysis. Since the MPC approved the RTP update, staff from Eugene and other local jurisdictions have held numerous meetings with Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) staff to develop a proposed work plan for addressing all of these issues over the next several years. While the work plan has not been finalized, it is likely to include the following elements: ·Complete a report on the progress of the TransPlan Alternative Performance Measures. ·Initiate a Post Acknowledgement Plan Amendment (PAPA) to (1) remove the West Eugene Parkway from the TransPlan project list with the understanding that the project lists will be made entirely consistent through a full TransPlan update to take place within the next several years, and (2) extend the Metro Plan and TransPlan horizon year until around 2023 which is consistent with observed population growth in Eugene and Springfield. ·Determine the framework of TSPs and RTSP that will serve the metropolitan area. F:\CMO\2008 Council Agendas\M080428\S080428B.doc