Defenders' Experts
Transportation Planning Funding
For a task as big and important as transportation planning, one would think we invest vast amounts of time and resources to make sure it is done carefully and correctly. In fact, planning funds comprise a small fraction of the money given to state transportation agencies to distribute among their MPOs.
Historically, transportation planning has existed on a starvation diet while highway building has been the hog at the trough. But cutting corners on planning rarely saves time or money in the long run. Poor planning may l ead to costly mistakes, public controversy, longer environmental review, more mitigation and possibly litigation.
Funds for metropolitan planning are called Planning Funds and amount to just 1.25% of highway and transit program funding. Funds for state planning are called State Planning and Research Funds and amount to only 2% of highway and transit program funding. States are required to set aside at least 25% of these funds for research and the remainder is used for state transportation planning.
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