Long Range Transportation Plan

The Grand Valley Metropolitan Council (GVMC), as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the greater Grand Rapids area, is in the process of updating its 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). Federal regulations require each MPO update their Long Range Transportation Plan document every four years. Our previous plan was approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in June 2007.

Public Involvement

In addition to the sub-regional meetings and in accordance with our Public Participation Plan, opportunities will be available at several stages for public participation in the development of the LRTP. Initial Public Involvment forums are anticipated during the Spring 2010, please visit back for exact times and locations. GVMC staff are looking for comments and input throughout the Long Range Transportation Plan updating process and look forward to discussing the transportation/land use and future growth priorities for the entire region; please contact Andrea Dewey, GVMC Transportation Planner, at (616) 776-7601.

Socio-Economic Data Projections

At the August 19, 2009 Policy Committee meeting, the 2009 Base Year Population and Employment Data by Traffic Analysis Zone (TAZ) was approved. With this approval, GVMC staff proceeded to collect updated SE data projections for the outer years of the Long Range Transportation Plan. The collection process was slightly different from previous Plans. Staff worked closely with the GVMC Land Use Planning Department to build on previous efforts to regionally determine where growth will/is likely to occur (Blueprint and Framework for Growth). By dividing the area that GVMC is required to maintain a transportation model for by the Michigan Department of Transportation (an area slightly larger than the MPO) into five subregions, staff was able to work with local municipalities to create a vision for growth.

To view TAZ maps at the jurisdiction level click here.
For population and employment base year (2009 estimate) data click here.
To view the Subregional Map click here.

Subregional Meetings
In September 2009, GVMC held five sub-regional meetings to gather population and employment projection data from local jurisdictions. The sub-regional meeting provided an opportunity for jurisdictions to discuss future transportation, land use, and development issues while simultaneously providing a forum for cross-jurisdictional cooperation and decision making.
The Subergional Meetings were held:

Sept 15, 2009 - 9am-11am @ Algoma Twp Hall -
Rogue River/Fruitridge Subregion (Tryone, Solon, Nelson, Spencer, Sparta, Algoma, Courtland, Oakfield, Alpine, the Villages of Casnovia, Kent City, Sand Lake and Sparta, and the Cities of Cedar Springs, and Rockford)
Sept 17, 2009 - 9am-11am @ City of Hudsonville City Hall
West Metro Subregion (Chester, Wright, Tallmadge, Georgetown, Jamestown, Blendon, Allendale, Polkton, and the Cities of Coopersville and Hudsonville)
Sept 22, 2009 - 9am-11am @ Gaines Twp Hall
South Belt Subregion (Byron, Gaines, Caledonia, and the Village of Caledonia)
Sept 24, 2009 - 9am-11am @ Ada Twp Park
East Metro Subregion (Cannon, Grattan, Ada, Vergennes, Cascade, Lowell, Bowne, and the City of Lowell)
Sept 30, 2009 - 9am-11am @ Grand Rapids Twp Hall
Urban Metro (Cities of Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Wyoming, Grandville, Walker, Grand Rapids Twp and Plainfield Twp)

Population and Employment Projections 2009-2035 -
Using U.S. Census estimates/American Community Survey (ACS) data, Regional Economic Model Inc (REMI) data, Subregional Meeting process data, and Claritas employment data, staff has been able to build upon the 2009 base year population and employment numbers by Traffic Analysis Zone (TAZ), to produce area-wide projections for population and employment increases between 2009 and 2035. The data collected is recorded by TAZ, as this is the unit used in the transportation planning model. Population and employment information is populated into the model by TAZ to help understand the number of trips produced and attracted to each zone. With information about the number of trips by zone the model can calculate those road segments anticipated to be deficient in the future.

For population projection (2009-2035) change map click here, for data by TAZ click here.
For employment projection (2009-2035) change map click here, for data by TAZ click here.
To view TAZ maps for cross referencing the projection data click here.

Relevant Links

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Current 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Download or view the 2035 GVMC Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in June 27, 2007, using the links below. (Please make note of the apprioximate file size of the document you wish to download or view.) The plan document is available as an Adobe PDF file, which requires the free Adobe Reader application to view.

Entire document (including Appendices) (11.5 MB)
Body of document (without Appendices) (1.4 MB)
LRTP Appendices only (10.1 MB)

For a copy of the Long Range Transportation Plan, please contact Andrea Dewey.

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