History and Formation

RPO History

The concept of Rural Transportation Planning Organizations (RPOs) originated with the Transportation Equity Act of the 21st Century (TEA-21), passed by Congress in 1998. Its purpose was to provide local officials in rural areas with a voice in the transportation planning process. Among other things, the legislation specifically required:

  • Development of long-range transportation plans in consultation with local governments
  • Development of State Transportation Improvement Plans (STIPs) in consultation with local governments
  • Studies of the degree of cooperation between States, local governments in rural areas, and regional planning and development organization

To comply with the provisions of TEA-21, NC lawmakers passed House Bill 1304 and Senate Bill 1195.  These bills required the creation of RPOs across the State.  To ensure participation of local governments and the public in the transportation planning process, NC RPOs were charged with four core duties:

  1. Develop long-range local and regional multi-modal transportation plans in cooperation with area MPOs (urban transportation planning organizations) and the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT)
  2. Provide a forum for public participation in the rural transportation planning process
  3. Develop and prioritize suggestions for transportation projects that should be considered in the STIP
  4. Provide transportation-related information to local governments and other interested organizations and persons

Mid-Carolina RPO Formation

In August 2001, a Memorandum of Understanding was executed by Bladen, Cumberland, Harnett, and Sampson Counties, Mid-Carolina, and the NC Department of Transportation, creating a transportation planning region made up of four counties and 25 municipalities.  Chartered in September 2001, the Mid-Carolina RPO was the first of the current 20 RPOs to be created in NC.