MORPC’s Building Equitable & Safe Transportation Initiative to Advance Project Prioritization in Central Ohio
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) has been awarded $1.4 million by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), a transformative step toward modernizing how transportation projects are assessed and prioritized in Central Ohio.
The U.S. DOT’s Prioritization Process Pilot Program (PPPP) awarded more than $24 million to 16 projects across 14 states. The program, created through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will support MORPC’s Building Equitable & Safe Transportation (BEST) initiative. This program will enhance project evaluation, incorporate inclusive community input, and ensure a data-driven approach to long-term transportation planning.
“This grant is critical for Central Ohio. By integrating cutting-edge tools and prioritizing community input, we’re ensuring that our transportation projects deliver equitable, sustainable, and lasting benefits for everyone in our region.”
The BEST initiative will replace MORPC’s existing project evaluation process for the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), a long-range blueprint guiding more than $34 billion in transportation investments. These updates will allow MORPC to more effectively address safety, equity, and sustainability while fostering economic growth.
Key Components of the BEST Initiative include:
- Improved Evaluation Criteria: Regionally aligned criteria for sustainability, resilience, economic development, and preservation will guide MTP project prioritization.
- Transparent Public Involvement: Targeted engagement efforts will involve historically disadvantaged communities in every stage of project prioritization.
- Network Safety Analysis: Advanced tools will utilize state transportation data to better assess and address crash risks.
- Environmental Justice Metrics Update: Incorporating Justice40 guidance, equity-focused metrics will be expanded to ensure environmental justice considerations are central to planning.
- Online Project Database Development: A new, accessible, public-facing system will replace outdated project tracking databases.
The Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) is the long-range planning document that identifies transportation deficiencies, policies, strategies, and projects over the next two decades. MORPC’s 2024-2050 MTP is updated on a four-year cycle and includes more than $34 billion worth of transportation investments and more than 600 identified projects. The grant-funded activities will take place from 2025–2027, fully integrating into the next MTP update cycle. These updates will ensure that Central Ohio’s transportation infrastructure planning is effective, transparent, and equitable.
“Through BEST, MORPC is laying the foundation for a transportation network that not only meets the region’s needs today but also ensures long-term sustainability and equity.”
For more information on the MTP and BEST program, visit Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) – MORPC.org.
