Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP)

The Grand Valley Metropolitan Council, as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Kent and eastern Ottawa counties, is responsible for the development of a multi-modal long-range Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). The purpose of the MTP is to ensure that transportation investments in our area enhance the movement of people and freight efficiently, effectively, and safely over the next 20+ years. Without an MTP, federal transportation funding could not be allocated in the region. The MTP must be financially constrained (meaning costs don’t exceed resources), project-specific, take into consideration public input as well as plans and feedback from stakeholder agencies, meet established air quality standards, and ensure that no people groups are adversely impacted by the projects in this document through our environmental justice (EJ) process.

2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan is Approved!

At their meeting on June 6, 2024, the GVMC Board approved the 2050 MTP (see below). Last summer, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) reviewed the request for conformity demonstration for the GVMC 2050 MTP. Based on their review and interagency consultation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), they have determined that the 2050 MTP conforms with Federal air quality conformity and associated planning regulations (23 CFR Part 450 and 40 CFR Part 93).

Due to file size, the 2050 MTP has been divided into several links (see below):

2050 MTP Executive Summary and Introduction
2050 MTP Chapters 2-5
2050 MTP Chapters 6-11
2050 MTP Appendices

2050 MTP Companion Documents
Air Quality Conformity Report
Environmental Justice Maps and Project List
Public and Stakeholder Engagement
Part 1: Documentation
 Part 2: Comments
System Performance Report

Additional Elements to 2050 MTP
Active Transportation Plan

Background Information

Developing the 2050 MTP took GVMC staff nearly two years. We kicked off the development of our 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) for the Grand Rapids region during the summer of 2022, which outlines funding and priorities for all modes of transportation through the year 2050.

As part of the MTP development process, we updated socioeconomic data projections, conducted a public survey, held a student poster contest, and developed a series of needs and deficiencies analyses to evaluate road conditions, congestion, safety, freight movement, passenger rail, air travel, nonmotorized, transit, and other modes of transportation. In order to increase public engagement, we also launched two games — MTP Bingo and an MTP crossword puzzle. Public input was an important part of this process, and we received robust public engagement throughout the development of the MTP. Information about these activities is below.

Socioeconomic Data
To access GVMC’s 2050 MTP Socioeconomic (SE) Data Resource Map and Traffic Analysis Zone (TAZ) growth allocation results click here.

Needs and Deficiencies Analyses
Air
Freight
Nonmotorized
Passenger Rail
Transit
Bridge Condition (New)
Congestion (updated 10/10/2023)
Pavement Condition
Safety (updated 10/9/2023)

 

Public Involvement

GVMC is committed to ensuring that citizen input figures prominently throughout the planning processes and contributes to transportation problem identification through public comment periods, public meetings, and review of the MTP document. Federal statute requires the public have reasonable opportunity to comment on transportation plans and programs. In accordance with the Public Participation Plan, GVMC encourages ongoing public participation.

To stay informed about future MTP development updates and public comment opportunities, please join our mailing list by filling out the form to the right, keep an eye out for postings on our Facebook, Instagram, and Nextdoor, and Twitter pages, and continue to watch our website for updates. The public is encouraged to submit comments in person, online, over the phone, or by mail or email at any time during the development of the MTP. For more information about how you can participate in the MPO transportation planning process, visit our Get INVOLVED page.

Contact GVMC Transportation Staff

The GVMC staff is always looking for comments and input. Please contact Andrea Faber, Transportation Planner, at (616) 776-7603 with your MTP-related comments and questions, or submit your inquiry through the “submit a comment” button at the top of the page. You may also send written comments to: Grand Valley Metropolitan Council, 678 Front Ave NW, Suite 200, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504.

If you are interested in receiving e-mail notifications about transportation issues in Kent and eastern Ottawa counties, sign up using the form at the top of the page, or contact Andrea Faber by phone (616.776.7603) or email.

Previous Long-Range Transportation Plans

GVMC 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan

GVMC 2045 MTP Chapters 1-5
GVMC 2045 MTP Chapters 6-11
GVMC 2045 MTP Appendices

GVMC 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan

To view the 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan, click here. A hard copy of the document is available for viewing at the GVMC offices. 

To view the 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan financial analysis, please click here. 

GVMC 2035 Long-Range Transportation Plan

Click here to view the 2035 GVMC Long-Range Transportation Plan (Archived)

Banner photo by Natekal23 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0] via Wikimedia Commons

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