Planning & Programs

Metropolitan Transportation Plan (Long Range Plan)

Connections 2050: The Waco Metropolitan Transportation 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

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

2021-2024 TIP

Supporting Documents

Annual Project Listing

To meet the requirements of the Federal surface transportation act: Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST), and the infrastructure and Jobs Act, 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.

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.

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.

2024 - 2025 UPWP

Waco Area Thoroughfare Plan (McLennan County)

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

2022 - 2023 UPWP

2020 - 2021 UPWP

Active Transportation Plan

MPO Logo Image

The Active Transportation Plan (ATP) was adopted by the Policy Board on July 18, 2019 (Resolution 2019-5).

Purpose

  • To identify policies, programs, and infrastructure projects to support non-motorized modes as a viable transportation option for shorter trip purposes.
  • The plan serves as a resource for member governments to incorporate bicycle and pedestrian elements into roadway construction and maintenance; provides a menu of potential best practices, policies, outreach and educational activities to promote walking, rolling, and biking; and identifies regionally significant priorities for potential inclusion into the Metropolitan Transportation Plan and for federal or state funding eligibility.
  • The plan's recommendations are framed in the context of the Six Es, a concept borrowed from the League of American Bicyclists and Safe Routes to Schools.
  • The Six Es include: Engineering, Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, Evaluation and Planning, and Equity.
  • Download the Active Transportation Plan(PDF, 13MB)
  • Map of Active Transportation Plan Recommendations

Construction Projects

City of Waco Better Streets Program

Pavement Management Program Project Map

To report a pothole or other problem on City of Waco streets (such as debris in the bike lane), with the MyWaco App or call the City of Waco Streets Department at (254) 750-8690

Education & Encouragement

Enforcement, Evaluation & Planning

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

Current Grants

The Waco MPO is committed to pursuing competitive grant funding opportunities for various transportation and infrastructure projects across McLennan County. These grant programs aim to address critical infrastructure needs, promote innovation, enhance safety, and improve the resilience and sustainability of our transportation system. Grants received by the Waco MPO provide a unique chance for stakeholders in McLennan County to actively participate in shaping the future of our region.

Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A)- FY 2022 Planning Grant

The Waco MPO is developing a regional Safety Action Plan to outline data-driven strategies to reduce transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries across the MPO planning area. Improving transportation safety is a top priority for the MPO.

The Comprehensive Safety Action Plan includes:

  • An analysis of recent crash trends and contributing factors based on crash data
  • Emphasis areas and priorities for safety improvements
  • System-wide safety countermeasures and location-specific project recommendations
  • Coordination across jurisdictions within the MPO region
  • Performance measures to track and monitor progress toward reducing fatalities and serious injuries

The plan will offer a proactive approach for addressing safety concerns on all public roads in the area. Recommendations will provide a framework for investing in safety projects through programs such as the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP).

WacoMPOSafeStreets.com

Project Area

The project area encompasses the entirety of McLennan County.
Urban areas are shaded orange within the project area.

visual image of the Waco MPO planning area

Report Your Area of Concern

Your input is essential for the success of the MPO's Safety Action Plan. Click the button below to provide us with your concerns regarding traffic and safety on MPO region roads.

Sample comments

  • This roadway segment is unsafe for walking and biking.
  • Cars don't stop at this stop-controlled intersection.
  • Speeding on this roadway segment.

Waco MPO Safety Action Plan Survey (maptionnaire.com)

For further updates, check Project Updates or Subscribe to receive notifications.

To be included in the 2024 Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, please report your concerns by 03/24/2024.

Collision History

The map below shows collisions that occurred in the Waco MPO region from January 2014 to December 2023.

Directions:

  • Navigate the map to find collision hot spots.
  • Use mouse wheel or provided buttons to zoom in and out.
  • Pan by selecting the map or using your device's touch screen.
  • Collisions are color-coded to correspond to collision severity.
  • Click the interactive legend button in the top right corner to view the map legend which shows the color for each collision severity.
  • Click on the arrows at the bottom-right of the map to expand the interactive map in new window.
  • Use the interactive legend to view collisions of each severity. Select each collision for more details.
  • Coding for each data field can be found in this PDF.

For any comments or suggestions, please provide feedback.

Project Updates

  • 01/04/2024: View the Collision History section for collisions of all severity that occurred in the Waco MPO region from 2014 to 2023. We are constantly updating the interactive map as the project moves forward.
  • 01/04/2024: Downloadable materials, plans, and reports will be uploaded here when they are available.