Three organizations coordinate long-term transportation planning for The Alleghenies:

• Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission Rural Transportation Planning Organization
• Johnstown Metropolitan Planning Organization
• Metropolitan Planning Organization for Blair County/Altoona MSA. 

Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission Rural Transportation Planning Organization (SAP&DC RPO)

In cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission (SAP&DC) is an active Local Development District (LDD) that serves as a Rural Planning Organization.

SAP&DC implements a Rural Transportation Work Program for Bedford, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset counties.  The Planning Commissions of the four counties and SAP&DC work together to provide a rural transportation planning program that meets national, state, and local goals.

SAP&DC RPO is responsible for maintaining the quality and integrity of projects for the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).  Rural transportation projects are planned in conjunction with supporting projects in order to enhance regional economics and to ensure the safe, efficient passage of people and goods.

The RPO identifies transportation priorities within funding limits, involves the public in the planning process, and selects transportation improvements based on state and county priorities.

The RPO includes two committees: Rural Transportation Technical Committee (RTTC) and Rural Transportation Coordinating Committee (RTCC).  RTTC provides input and expertise on transportation issues for the four counties (Bedford, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset) and develops the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for each county. The RTCC provides additional input on transportation issues and presents final approval on transportation policies and procedures.

Johnstown Metropolitan Planning Organization (JMPO)

The Transportation Planning Department of the Cambria County Planning Commission uses a transportation planning process known as the Johnstown Metropolitan Area Unified Planning Work Program to address transportation needs for Johnstown and Cambria County.  The department serves as the study secretary of the Johnstown Metropolitan Planning Organization (JMPO).  The program uses a combination of federal, state, and local funds for transportation studies and improvements.

The Federal government requires that JMPO must prepare and adopt a four-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) to define transportation projects.  The approved TIP must include any highway, public transit, intermodal, bicycle and other transportation projects financed with federal funds.

JMPO also is involved in the project selection and submission process for the Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP) and for the Hometown Streets Safe Routes to School (HSSRS) programs.

Metropolitan Planning Organization for Blair County/Altoona MSA (AMPO)

The Metropolitan Planning Organization for Blair County and the Altoona MSA (AMPO), served by the staff of the Blair County Planning Commission, is responsible for transportation planning for Blair County.  AMPO coordinates the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) and Long Range Transportation Plan processes.

AMPO, by federal government mandate, must prepare and adopt a TIP to define transportation projects to be implemented over a four-year period.  The approved TIP must include any highway, public transit, intermodal, bicycle and other transportation projects financed with federal funds.

AMPO also is involved in the project selection and submission process for the Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP) and for the Hometown Streets Safe Routes to School (HSSRS) programs.

For a detailed description, with mapping of the transportation system in the Alleghenies, go to the current SAP&DC 2002 CEDS.