Rural Planning Organizations

WHY WERE RPO'S FORMED?

The results of a Nationwide Transportation Study showed the majority of transportation dollars were going to metropolitan areas. The Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO's) have done a great job of moving transportation dollars to their areas, however rural areas continue to lose money.

The North Carolina General Assembly ruled that rural areas should organize like the MPO areas to gain access to transportation dollars and have a voice in the state planning process.

HOW DOES THE RPO WORK?

The Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC), made up of Elected Officials and NCDOT Transportation members MAKES POLICY AFFECTING THE RPO PLANNING REGION.

The Transportation Coordinating Committee (TCC), made up of local planners, county managers, town managers, military representatives, airport authority representatives, NC Ports Authority, local transportation committee members, NCDOT Ferry Division, NCDOT Engineers, Economic Development Officials and NC Highway Patrol; MAKES RECHNICAL RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE TAC

The Eastern Carolina Council serves as the Lead Planning Agency (LPA) and ACTS AS STAFF to two Rural Transportation Planning Organizations (RPO), the Eastern Carolina RPO and the Down East RPO. The Eastern Carolina RPO serves Duplin, Greene, Lenoir, and Wayne Counties. The Down East RPO serves Carteret, Craven, Jones, Onslow, and Pamlico Counties. As Lead Planning Agency, ECC provides staff and GIS support to each RPO. For more information on the history of North Carolina's Rural Transportation Planning Organizations, click here.

HOW DO THE RPO'S BENEFIT MY COUNTY - MUNICIPALITY?

• Be a part of a larger voice to the NCDOT in statewide transportation planning
• Be a part of decision making that affects the transportation policy of the entire Eastern Carolina region
• Promotes regional access
• Serves as a link to an ongoing relationship with the NCDOT
• Allows for consistent public involvement
• Allows the rural community to advise DOT in projects add to the TIP
• Serves as a valuable resource of information on transportation issues
• Provides a unified voice for the region

RPO & MPO boundries in NC

Map of boundaries