Plans & Programs

Long Range Plan

Connections 2045: The Waco Metropolitan Transportation Plan

Every five years, the MPO is required by federal law to adopt a long-range regional transportation plan for the Waco region. Connections 2045: The Waco Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) outlines future transportation needs for the Waco area through the year 2045 and identifies priority projects to address those needs. The MTP is fiscally constrained to only include those projects than can be realistically funded by the year 2045. Connections 2045 was adopted by the Waco MPO Policy Board on January 17, 2020.

Connections 2045: The Waco MTP

Cover and Table of Contents(PDF, 418KB)
Section 1 -- Introduction(PDF, 256KB)Section 1 Maps(PDF, 564KB)
Section 2 -- Guiding Principles(PDF, 65KB)
Section 3 -- Geography and Demographics(PDF, 719KB)Section 3 Maps 3.1 to 3.9(PDF, 9MB) and Maps 3.10 through 3.19(PDF, 7MB)
Section 4 -- Modal Inventory(PDF, 701KB)Section 4 Maps(PDF, 6MB)
Section 5 -- Needs and Gap Analysis(PDF, 2MB)Section 5 Maps(PDF, 6MB)
Section 6 -- Revenue Forecasts(PDF, 140KB)
Section 7 -- Recommendations(PDF, 370KB)Section 7 Maps(PDF, 3MB)
Section 8 -- Public Involvement(PDF, 178KB)
Appendix A -- Policy Board / Technical Committee Members(PDF, 33KB)
Appendix B -- Project Evaluation Criteria(PDF, 157KB)
Appendix C -- Comments and Public Feedback(PDF, 4MB)
Appendix D -- Public Survey(PDF, 2MB)

Amendments
Supporting Information

VIDEO: Watch a presentation on the Draft Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) (closed captioning available)
2045 MTP Display Maps & Boards(PDF, 11MB) (May 2019 kickoff meetings)

Transportation Improvement Program

Transportation Improvement Program

The 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) identifies transportation projects for which funds have been committed thus authorizing engineering studies, right of way acquisition, construction, or project implementation between fiscal years 2023 and 2026. All projects using federal highway or public transportation funds must be identified within the TIP. All projects identified in the TIP must have a formal commitment for all necessary funding from some source during the TIP timeframe. The 2021-2024 TIP was adopted by the MPO Policy Board on May 19, 2022.

2023-2026 TIP 

2023-2026 TIP(PDF, 5MB) -Adopted May 19, 2022

2021-2024 TIP

2021-2024 TIP(PDF, 4MB) – Adopted June 18, 2020
Amendment 1(PDF, 2MB) – Adopted January 21, 2021
Amendment 2(PDF, 3MB) – Adopted June 17, 2021
Amendment 3 (Administrative)(PDF, 2MB) Appendix G – Update of Regional Performance Targets & Review of TIP Programming to Achieve Targets – May 2021
Amendment 4 (Administrative)(PDF, 2MB) - June 30, 2021
Amendment 5 (Administrative)(PDF, 2MB) - August 20, 2021

Supporting Documents

Memo of Understanding(PDF, 326KB) to Address Performance-Based Planning and Programming – May 2018

Annual Project Listing

To meet the requirements of the Federal surface transportation act: Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST), the MPO produces the following list of projects for which federal highway or transit funds were obligated within the Waco Metropolitan Area during each fiscal year. This list also provides a comparison between the amount of funds programmed within the current TIP and obligations made for specific projects.

FY 2020 Annual Project Listing(PDF, 233KB)
FY 2019 Annual Project Listing(PDF, 252KB)

To view earlier versions of the TIP, please contact the MPO at 254-750-5650 or MPO@wacotx.gov

To view project information and phasing for TxDOT managed projects in the Waco MPO region, click here to view TxDOT's Project Tracker and search for keyword Waco-MPO.

Planning Studies

Fort Worth to Laredo High Speed Transportation Study

A study is currently underway to examine the potential for high-speed transportation options to connect Fort Worth, Waco, Killeen / Temple, Austin, San Antonio, and Laredo presented to the Waco MPO on November 21, 2019:

Fort Worth to Laredo High Speed Transportation Study Presentation(PDF, 2MB)

Waco Area Rapid Transit Corridor Feasibility Study

Waco Transit System and the Waco Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) conducted the Waco Area Rapid Transit Corridor Feasibility Study to investigate, analyze, and determine the feasibility of developing a rapid transit corridor for citizens of Waco and surrounding communities. The purpose for implementing a rapid transit corridor is to offer residents enhanced mobility and to provide improved access to jobs, social services, and educational facilities. This study was adopted by the MPO Policy Board on April 19, 2018 and the Waco City Council on May 1, 2018.

Waco Area Rapid Transit Corridor Feasibility Study(PDF, 16MB)
Waco RTC Feasibility Study Website

McLennan County Transit Need Study

As the Urban and Rural areas of McLennan County continue to change so do the transportation needs of its residents. To evaluate the needs of McLennan County residents and those who travel through the County, the Waco MPO in partnership with Waco Transit conducted a Human Services Public Transportation Needs Study. The purpose of the study is to ensure the provision of public transportation services is meeting the needs of the County to fullest extent possible, especially for individuals with limited transportation options due to disabilities, age or income status. The study will help the Waco MPO and Waco Transit take the necessary steps to plan for the current and future public transportation needs of the County and the Region. The Transit Need Study was adopted by the MPO Policy Board on June 21, 2018.

McLennan County Transit Need Study(PDF, 7MB)
Appendix A-N(PDF, 5MB)

US Business 77 Corridor Study

The US Business 77 Corridor Study covers the state highway facility known as US Business 77 within McLennan County, Texas. The extent of this study covers this facility between the Brazos River and the Interstate Highway 35 interchange at mile marker 342, just south of the Village of Elm Mott. Portions of this facility are also known as LaSalle Avenue, South Loop Drive, North Loop Drive, Dallas Highway and Lacy Drive. The MPO studied whether the US Business 77 roadway facility can be reconstructed such that the number of lanes and structures along the corridor can be reduced, thereby reducing the long-term maintenance costs of this facility. In addition, the MPO considered design alternatives that may serve as a catalyst for economic redevelopment of the neighborhoods along the corridor. This study was adopted by the MPO Policy Board on November 3, 2016.

US Business 77 Corridor Study(PDF, 17MB)
Public Meeting Handout(PDF, 978KB)

Waco Downtown Transportation Study

This study presents a high level overview of strategies to strengthen pedestrian connections, improve wayfinding, improve roadways and intersections, and enhance access/egress to and around downtown. The study addresses access and circulation demands, one-way versus two-way circulation, Baylor University potential growth, integration of multimodal options, pedestrian connectivity, and complete streets development. This plan supports desired economic and livability visions for Greater Downtown Waco and is an important step in better connecting people to the places they want to go in the City of Waco. The study was completed in February 2014.

Waco Downtown Transportation Study(PDF, 8MB)

Waco Thoroughfare Plan

The MPO developed a thoroughfare plan in 2012 to help preserve highway corridors for development up to 50 years into the future. The plan is intended to assist in the identification of projects for future MTPs.

Limited English Proficiency Plan

A Limited English Proficiency Plan has been prepared to address the Waco Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) responsibilities as a recipient of federal financial assistance as they relate to the needs of individuals with limited English proficiency language skills. The plan has been prepared in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 USC 2000d, et seq., and its implementing regulations, which state that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin.

The Waco MPO has developed this plan to help identify reasonable steps for providing language assistance to persons with limited English proficiency (LEP) who wish to participate within the transportation planning process. As defined within Executive Order 13166, LEP persons are those who do not speak English as their primary language and have limited ability to read, speak, write or understand English. This plan outlines how to identify a person who may need language assistance, the ways in which assistance may be provided, staff training that may be required and how to notify LEP persons that assistance is available.

Public Participation Plan

The Waco MPO Public Participation Plan (PPP) describes the efforts the MPO will undertake to solicit stakeholder and other interested party's involvement in the development of the MPO's plans and programs. In addition, the PPP also describes the opportunities the public will have to participate in the transportation planning process.

Unified Planning Work Program

The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) serves as the operating budget for the Waco MPO and identifies the work tasks intended to be accomplished and the estimated costs to complete these tasks. It also identifies how federal highway and transit planning funds are intended to be used.

2022 - 2023 UPWP
2020 - 2021 UPWP

Active Transportation Plan

The Active Transportation Plan (ATP) was adopted by the Policy Board on July 18, 2019 (Resolution 2019-5). The purpose of the ATP is to identify policies, programs, and infrastructure projects to support non-motorized modes as a viable transportation option for shorter trip purposes. The plan adds value to the regional transportation planning process by: 1) Serving as a resource for member governments to incorporate bicycle and pedestrian elements into roadway construction and maintenance; 2) Providing a menu of potential best practices, policies, outreach and educational activities to promote walking, rolling, and biking; and 3) Identifying regionally significant priorities for potential inclusion into the Metropolitan Transportation Plan and for federal or state funding eligibility.