What is the Long Range Transportation Plan?

The development and adoption of a Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) is required by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for all urbanized areas in order to receive federal funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The IIJA is the most current federal legislation (enacted in 2021) that establishes federal transportation funding programs for surface transportation modes.

The Plan must represent all municipalities within the MPOJC's metropolitan area planning boundary (Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, Tiffin, and University Heights) and be comprehensive - considering all modes of surface transportation. The Plan should coordinate transportation issues among and between adjacent municipalities and attempt to address conflicting perspectives. Finally, the Plan should be continuing in its evolution and be updated as community priorities change (at least every five years).

MPO entities and the public should have adequate opportunity to comment on the provisions of the proposed plan. The Plan should reflect priorities for the community that can be translated into politically viable and financially  feasible transportation projects during the life of the Plan.

The LRTP is the transportation vision for the metro area in the same way that a comprehensive plan is the land use vision for a municipality. A comprehensive plan provides the basis for subsequent zoning and subdivision laws in a municipality, and a long range transportation plan is intended to provide a similar basis for the programming of projects for all modes of transportation. To maximize its effectiveness, a long-range transportation plan should be consistent with the land use plans of individual communities.

In general, the plan shall carry out a transportation planning process that provides for consideration and implementation of projects, strategies, and services that support the Federal Highway Administration Planning Factors.

Click the following link to read the 2050 LRTP: Future Forward 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan

If you have any comments or questions about the Long Range Transportation Plan, contact Kent Ralston at 319-356-5230 or kent-ralston@iowa-city.org.

Connect 2055: LRTP Public Engagement Opportunities

General Survey  

March 25-May 1, 2026 

The general survey is designed for anyone who lives, works, attends school, or does business in Johnson County. The survey asks about day-to-day travelling patterns to help the MPO understand changes or improvements that could make transportation safer and more efficient in the metro.  

Use the following link to access the survey: bit.ly/Connect2055MPOJC 

Trail Surveys  

April 6-May 22, 2026 

The trail surveys are designed for individuals who use neighborhood and regional trails throughout Johnson County. The survey seeks to understand why people use the trail network and to gather personal experiences related to trail use. While the survey will be available along the trail network, you can also access it via the links below. 

Neighborhood trails link: bit.ly/MPOJCNeighborhoodTrailSurvey

Neighborhood trails include the following: 

Regional trails link: bit.ly/MPOJCRegionalTrailSurvey 

Regional trails include the following: 

• Hoover Trail