Central Lane Metropolitan Planning Organization: MOVING INTO THE FUTURE

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Why Should You Know About the MPO?

Your participation is important to ensure that your federal and state dollars for transportation are spent wisely to meet our region’s most urgent needs. Become involved to make choices that reflect and support the way we want to live and travel throughout our community.

What is the Central Lane MPO?

Lane Council of Governments (LCOG) is the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the central Lane County area that includes the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area and Coburg. The MPO is the lead agency for regional transportation planning and distributing federal transportation dollars for the Central Lane County area. The MPO works cooperatively with local governments and transit providers to set priorities for transportation needs. This process enables our area to receive millions of dollars annually in federal transportation funding. The Governor designated LCOG as the MPO for this area in 1974. The Central Lane MPO is one of approximately 350 MPOs across the country and one of 6 MPOs in Oregon.

Who makes decisions for the Central Lane MPO?

The decision making body of the Central Lane MPO is the Metropolitan Policy Committee, which was created by Eugene, Springfield, and Lane County to cooperate on issues of regional importance. The Metropolitan Policy Committee is comprised of public officials from Springfield, Eugene, Lane County, Coburg, Lane Transit District, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

What does the Central Lane MPO do?

The Central Lane MPO serves as the forum for cooperative transportation decision making for the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area and Coburg. The MPO channels federal funding for transportation projects and programs through a sound planning process that is comprehensive, cooperative, and continuing. There are five core functions of an MPO:

1. Establish a fair and impartial setting for regional decision making.
2. Evaluate transportation alternatives.
3. Maintain a long-range transportation plan covering a 20 year planning horizon.
4. Develop a 2-4 year Transportation Improvement Program and Prioritize Projects.
5. Involve the public.