Rural Transportation Task Force Planning
In 2012, WMSRDC established the West Michigan Rural Transportation Planning Program at the request of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). WMSRDC now administers the nearly $1.5 million in rural federal transportation funding allocated to the region. Through this program, WMSRDC works with the local road agencies to administer individual county task forces, as well as the regional task force, to plan for the most efficient and cost effective use of these funds. The current rural task force has been realigned to include all five counties within the region which are Lake, Mason, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana.
Activities in the Rural Program include: schedule, plan, and attend Rural Transportation Task Force project selection meetings; ensure a cooperative planning process is being followed, the correct system is identified, and eligible work is submitted; ensure the required public involvement and consultation process is completed by providing citizens, affected public agencies, tribal governments, private transportation providers, and other interested parties with notice and opportunity to comment on proposed transportation projects, plans and programs transportation providers; and submit all season road changes to MDOT.
