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Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) Overview
Who decides which transportation needs get attention? How can a citizen have a say in how transportation dollars get spent? Most decisions on which transportation projects are funded begin at the local and regional level even though the funds to pay for transportation projects mostly come from the state and federal government. In fact, state and federal policies require a lot of local public involvement and planning for projects to be funded. Who’s involved in transportation planning?
The Montachusett Metropolitan Planning Organization is made up of representatives from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Highway Division (MassDOT Highway), the mayors of Fitchburg, Leominster and Gardner and Selectmen representatives from the four MMPO subregions. Staff assistance to the MMPO is provided by the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (MRPC). MRPC is a regional advisory board consisting of representatives from each of its 22 member communities. It carries out comprehensive regional planning, including transportation studies of roads, bridges, rail, transit, freight and airports. Also involved in transportation planning is a citizen’s advisory group, the Montachusett Joint Transportation Committee (MJTC). This group acts as a liaison to the MMPO and includes town planners, economic development staff, MassDOT Highway and elected officials. It meets the third Wednesday of each month at the MRPC office, 1427R Water Street, Fitchburg. Planning ABC’s Before any project receives state or federal funds, it must fit into the policy goals of the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). Although this plan is developed looking forward 25 years, it is updated every four years. MRPC recently completed the 2012 RTP to address changes in the region as well as federal rules and requirements. The Regional Transportation Plan is not a wish list but a plan with recommended projects that have a reasonable chance of being funded. As projects are approved for federal funding, they are placed on the TIP (Transportation Improvement Program) list. The TIP covers a five year period and lists projects that should be implemented over this period. The TIP is reviewed and updated every year. Funding constraints as well as project readiness are some of the factors considered by the MPO and MJTC in setting priorities for the TIP. Goals for the region
The adopted RTP policies are identified as follows:
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In the 
The
current goals and strategies outlined in the Regional Transportation
Plan support the core policies of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to
maintain and support existing transportation networks and to fund projects that encourage sustainable development and support community quality of life.