20 N. Main Street, Room 262 - Brooksville, Florida 34601  Phone (352)754-4057  Fax (352)754-4420

 The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is mandated by the Federal Highway Act of 1973 to provide a cooperative, comprehensive, and continuing transportation planning and decision-making process. The process  encompasses all modes and covers both short-range and long-range transportation planning. MPO plans  and programs are reviewed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit  Administration (FTA).

Each urban area in the United States has a MPO which acts as a liaison between local communities, their citizens, and the state departments of transportation (DOTs). MPOs are important because they direct how and where available state and federal dollars for transportation improvements will be spent.

As defined by federal and state transportation regulations, the primary functions of the MPO are to:

• Establish the goals, objectives and policies governing transportation planning in the region.

• Approve an annual Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) and budget.

• Direct the preparation of, and adopt, the long-range and short-range strategies of the Transportation Plan.

• Recommend projects for implementation through the adoption of the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).

• Perform the air quality conformity determination for the Transportation Improvement Program.

 The Hernando County Planning Department provides staff services in support of the MPO program.