Transportation Planning
NACOLG’s Transportation Planning program is responsible for the administration and management of the Shoals Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the Northwest Alabama Rural Planning Organization (RPO).
The MPO is required by federal highway and transit statutes for spending federal highway or transit funds in urbanized areas (population of 50,000 or greater). MPO’s have a responsibility for planning, programming, and coordination of federal highway and transit investments.
MPO member governments are the cities and towns of Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, Tuscumbia, Killen, Leighton, St. Florian, and the urbanized portions of Colbert and Lauderdale Counties.
The RPO is required by federal highway statutes to involve rural local officials in the development and implementation of statewide transportation plans and project investment decisions.
The RPO is made up of the non-urbanized cities, towns, and counties of the region. The RPO holds meetings throughout the region to discuss transportation issues that affect our counties, cities, and towns. Safety and maintenance issues are documented and passed on to the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT). Meetings are set up between the affected county or municipality and ALDOT and other involved organizations on an as needed basis.
For Title VI Complaints Please Enter Below
Department Contacts:
Hayse, Ryan - Program Manager, Transportation Planning & IT Director
rhayse@nacolg.org
256-389-0514
Robert (Beau) Cooper - Regional Planner
rcooper@nacolg.org
256-389-0595
Transportation Planning Frequently Asked Questions
What does NACOLG’s Transportation Planning Program do?
NACOLG administers and manages the Shoals Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Northwest Alabama Rural Planning Organization.
These organizations help local governments coordinate transportation priorities, plan future improvements and participate in decisions involving federal and state transportation investments.
What is a Metropolitan Planning Organization?
A Metropolitan Planning Organization, or MPO, is a federally required transportation-planning organization for an urbanized area with a population of 50,000 or more.
The MPO plans, programs and coordinates federal highway and public-transit investments within the urbanized area.
What area does the Shoals Area MPO cover?
The Shoals Area Metropolitan Planning Organization includes:
Florence
Muscle Shoals
Sheffield
Tuscumbia
Killen
Leighton
St. Florian
Urbanized portions of Colbert County
Urbanized portions of Lauderdale County
What is a Rural Planning Organization?
A Rural Planning Organization, or RPO, gives rural local officials a formal role in developing statewide transportation plans and making transportation-investment decisions.
NACOLG’s RPO represents the non-urbanized counties, cities and towns within its Northwest Alabama region.
What is the difference between the MPO and RPO?
The MPO serves the urbanized Shoals area and coordinates federal highway and transit planning. The RPO represents non-urbanized communities and ensures that rural transportation concerns are included in state planning and investment decisions.
What types of transportation issues does the RPO address?
The RPO discusses transportation concerns affecting rural counties, cities and towns, including:
Road safety
Maintenance needs
Regional transportation priorities
Access and mobility
Coordination with the Alabama Department of Transportation
Proposed transportation investments
Can NACOLG approve or build a road project?
No. NACOLG coordinates planning and helps document regional priorities, but construction and funding decisions may involve ALDOT, local governments, federal agencies and other organizations.
Does NACOLG decide which roads ALDOT will repair?
No. NACOLG can document safety and maintenance concerns and provide that information to ALDOT. Final decisions about state-maintained roads are made by ALDOT based on its responsibilities, priorities and available funding.
How can a local government report a transportation concern?
County and municipal officials may contact NACOLG’s Transportation Planning staff. NACOLG can document the issue, communicate it to ALDOT and arrange meetings with the affected government and other organizations when appropriate.
Can residents report a road or transportation problem?
Residents may contact their city, town or county government about a local transportation concern. They may also contact NACOLG’s Transportation Planning Program for guidance about the appropriate agency.
Urgent roadway hazards should be reported directly to the responsible local government or ALDOT.
Does transportation planning include public transit?
Yes. The MPO coordinates planning for federal public-transit investments within the urbanized Shoals area.
However, trip scheduling, fares and ride reservations are handled through NACOLG Public Transit rather than the Transportation Planning Program.
Does NACOLG plan bicycle and pedestrian improvements?
Bicycle and pedestrian needs may be considered as part of regional transportation planning. Local governments should contact NACOLG to discuss proposed sidewalks, bicycle facilities, trails, crossings or other mobility improvements.
How are transportation projects selected?
Transportation priorities are developed through planning, coordination and input from local governments, transportation agencies and other regional stakeholders.
Project advancement depends on factors such as safety, community need, available funding, project readiness and applicable federal or state requirements.
Does inclusion in a transportation plan guarantee funding?
No. Inclusion in a transportation plan may be necessary for certain funding programs, but it does not guarantee that a project will be funded or constructed.
Can the public participate in transportation planning?
Yes. Public participation helps planners understand transportation needs throughout the region. Residents, businesses and community organizations may attend applicable public meetings, review proposed plans or submit comments.
Contact NACOLG for current meeting schedules and opportunities to participate.
Where are RPO meetings held?
The RPO holds meetings throughout Northwest Alabama so local officials can discuss transportation issues affecting rural counties, cities and towns.
Meeting locations and dates may vary. Contact NACOLG for the current schedule.
What is a Title VI complaint?
A Title VI complaint concerns alleged discrimination connected with a federally assisted program or activity. The NACOLG Transportation Planning page includes a form for submitting Title VI concerns.
How do I submit a Title VI complaint?
Use the complaint form on the NACOLG Transportation Planning page or contact Transportation Planning staff for instructions.
Include enough information to explain what happened, when it occurred and which program or activity was involved.
What areas does NACOLG Transportation Planning serve?
The Transportation Planning Program serves urban and rural communities throughout Northwest Alabama, including areas in Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Marion and Winston counties.
This includes transportation planning near Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, Tuscumbia, Killen, Russellville, Hamilton, Winfield, Haleyville, Double Springs and surrounding communities.