2. Resolut/MetroCog Trans Plan - Laserfiche WebLink

IDENTIFICATION OF ISSUES, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The development of the 2030 MTP continued by preparing new transportation issues, goals and objectives. The new Plan goals and objectives reflect the extensive public input gathered early in the study process. This process is discussed further in Chapter 5 and Chapter 10 of the Plan. This step was important because it helped the community focus on the current system's problems, thereby identifying the needs to be addressed by the future transportation system. ALTERNATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE FUTURE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM Based on earlier assessment work and established plan goals, a future alternative analysis was completed. Chapter 6 of the Plan analyzed future transportation system alternatives by reviewing technical options for 26 roadway or bridge projects, examining traffic options within five special sub areas, identifying useful traditional and non-traditional system management practices, and considering the recommendations of previously adopted modal plans. The results of this effort was presented to Metropolitan COG's Transportation Technical Committee and refined into a specific program of implementable strategies. REVENUE FORECASTS AND FISCAL CONSTRAINT ANALYSIS To fulfill the federal requirements that MPO transportation plans be fiscally constrained, it was necessary to forecast revenues prior to the programming of projects. Utilizing funding information provided by local officials and after coordination with Metro COG's most current Transportation Improvement Plan, both short and long-range revenue forecasts were developed for all affected jurisdictions. Using future cost data generated by preliminary project identification, financial constraint was achieved. Further the relationship between operation and maintenance costs, as well as new construction or reconstruction by modal element (roads, transit, bicycle/pedestrian, etc.) was reconciled with anticipated revenue forecasts. This analysis was necessary to assure a sufficient funding stream was maintained for system preservation activities. Chapter 7 of the Plan documents this fiscal analysis. EVALUATION OF IMPROVEMENT STRATEGIES After the completing the alternative analysis, possible improvement strategies were evaluated utilizing four (4) screening factors. These evaluation factors included: technically sound, environmentally sensitive, financially feasible and socially acceptable. During this evaluation, appropriate local, state and federal regulatory agencies were contacted to solicit their comments on the potential projects, especially concerning environmental issues. Chapter 8 of the Plan explains these efforts and documents the evaluation process. In turn, after consideration of all public agency input, the TTC established draft short- and long- term project schedules by jurisdiction for inclusion in the draft Plan. This proposed schedule of projects were compared to the Plan's goals and objectives, and established federal planning factors. Executive Summary - Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Area Transportation Plan Update Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments June 2004 Page 4