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About the LAPC
Frequently asked Questions about the LAPC:
1.
WHAT IS A
METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION (MPO)?
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An MPO is responsible for carrying out
transportation planning functions for the Urbanized Areas of the United
States.
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Each
Urbanized Area (UA) has a population of at
least 50,000 and includes a central city.
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MPOs are required by the
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy
for Users, (SAFETEA-LU) adopted in
August, 2005.
2.
WHAT IS THE
PURPOSE OF AN MPO?
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To serve as the forum for cooperative
transportation planning.
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To develop and maintain a long-range
transportation plan.
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To coordinate transit services and
projects.
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To carry out other planning activities as
deemed appropriate by the MPO governing body.
3.
WHAT IS THE
HISTORY OF MAJOR LAPC PLANS?
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In 1966, the La
Crosse Area Planning Committee (LAPC) was created through an
Inter-municipal Agreement and began developing an area-wide transportation
study.
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In 1970, the LAPC approved the General
Plan for the La Crosse Area.
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In 1974, as a result of the 1970 Census,
the LAPC was designated as an MPO.
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In 1977, the LAPC updated the General
Plan for the La Crosse Area.
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In 1984, the LAPC began developing a new
Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).
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In 1988, the LAPC initiated the La Crosse
River Valley Study.
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In 1994, the LAPC completed the Bicycle and
Pedestrian Element of the Long-Range Transportation Plan.
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In 1997, the LAPC completed the La Crosse
River Valley Study.
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In 1997, the LAPC completed the Transit
Element of the LRTP.
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In 1998, the LAPC completed an Environmental Impact Assessment
for the recommended North-South Corridor.
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In 1998, the LAPC adopted the LRTP.
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In 2000, the LAPC reaffirmed the LRTP.
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In 2003, the LAPC completed the Coulee
Visions study.
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In 2003, the LAPC completed the La Crescent Bicycle and
Pedestrian Plan.
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In 2003 the LAPC completed the Multi Modal Transit Element.
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In 2005, the LAPC completed the 2030 La Crosse and La
Crescent Metropolitan Area Transportation Plan.
4.
WHAT PROJECTS
DOES THE LAPC COMPLETE ANNUALLY?
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A three-year Transportation Improvement
Program (TIP) that lists capital programming and funding for
transportation projects in the planning area.
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A
Planning Work Program (PWP) that presents LAPC planning activities
for a two-year period.
5.
WHAT GOVERNS
THE LAPC?
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An Inter-municipal Agreement among member communities that may be amended at any time to reflect current
conditions.
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The agreement is valid for three years and
automatically renews for a three-year period unless terminated by one or
more member municipalities.
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Each participating municipality agrees to
be responsible for annual dues.
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A set of bylaws directs LAPC
operations and may be amended from time to time to reflect current
conditions.
6.
WHAT IS THE
FEDERAL ROLE IN THE LAPC?
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To provide guidelines through the
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, (SAFETEA-LU) enacted in
2005.
SAFETEA-LU authorizes highway, safety, transit, and other
transportation programs for six years.
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To provide initiatives to meet the
challenges of improving traffic safety.
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To protect and enhance communities and the
natural environment.
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To advance economic growth and
competitiveness through efficient and flexible transportation.
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To establish a planning process for
cooperative, continuous, and comprehensive transportation planning.
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To make local officials, states, and
transit operators responsible for determining transportation investments.
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To make MPOs responsible for adopting
long and short-range transportation plans.
7.
WHAT IS THE
STATE ROLE IN THE LAPC?
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To work
cooperatively and coordinate with the LAPC in area transportation planning.
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To provide a statewide forum for cooperative
planning, decision making, and public involvement.
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To provide technical assistance to the LAPC.
8.
WHAT IS THE
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (TIP)?
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A short-term list of all federal and state-funded,
and other regionally significant transportation projects and programs in the
planning area.
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A listing of programming spanning a period of at
five years that is
updated every year and is approved by the LAPC and the states
of Minnesota and Wisconsin.
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Represents a commitment to project funding
on the part of the sponsoring agencies and municipalities.
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A financially-constrained financial plan
that lists the revenue source for projects.
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Incorporated by reference as part of the
State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for Minnesota and
Wisconsin.
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Based on the
comprehensive planning process as specified by the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
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Projects included in the TIP are consistent with
the long-range metropolitan transportation plan.
9.
WHAT IS THE
PLANNING WORK PROGRAM (PWP)?
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A program of transportation planning activities to be undertaken by the
LAPC in a two year period.
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Serves as the LAPC's agreement on how
federal, state and local planning funds will be expended.
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