Quarterly Newsletter - June 2024

The Memphis MPO recently kicked-off the development of the Regional Pedestrian and Bicycle Greenprint Plan! This initiative is specifically designed to propel multi-modal transportation initiatives in the Mid-South region. It builds upon previous endeavors such as the Walk & Roll: Memphis Region Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan and the Mid-South Regional Greenprint and Sustainability Plan, combining their insights to formulate a unified vision for the area. The Regional Pedestrian and Bicycle Greenprint Plan will serve as a roadmap, facilitating the implementation of multi-modal transportation strategies through improved coordination and a clearer comprehension of the steps necessary for the region to pursue sustainable, equitable, and multi-modal transportation investments.

The 1st round of public engagement is currently underway, and you can visit this page for more information! Also, be sure to click the button below to take our survey and leave your input!

Memphis MPO Biteable Videos

New Biteable videos are now live on both YouTube and on our website!

The Memphis Regional Pedestrian and Bicycle Greenprint Plan Kick-Off video provides an overview of the upcoming update to the MPO's Regional Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan.

The 2024 State of Freight Report video highlights the latest insights and developments in freight transportation across the Mid-South.

Click on the images below to watch the Memphis Regional Pedestrian and Bicycle Greenprint Plan Kick-Off and 2024 State of Freight Report videos!

DeSoto County gets $90M for I-55 expansion

The Mississippi Legislature allocated $90 million for the first phase of the I-55 widening project. The project, which has long been considered a priority for DeSoto County, will involve widening I-55 from Goodman Road to Church Road.



City of Memphis to receive $21.8 million grant to finish Wolf River Greenway

The City of Memphis received $21.8 million in Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant funds from USDOT. The RAISE grant will be used to fund the final phase of the Wolf River Greenway.

Collierville to monitor 16 intersections to ease traffic, more planned

The Town of Collierville unveiled its new Traffic Operations Center in May. The Operations Center will monitor 16 intersections through its fiber lines, and will provide the Town with better traffic oversight and more efficient roadways. Eventually, the Town intends to monitor over 40 intersections.

Olive Branch Airport gets more than $5M in funding

The Olive Branch Airport received more than $5 million in state and federal funding this year, which will be used to upgrade and modernize various components of the Airport.

U.S. Department of Transportation granting $16.1 million to restore Mississippi River Wetlands

The City of West Memphis received a $16,155,550 Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to restore hundreds of acres of Mississippi River floodplain. The project will restore functional bottomland hardwood wetlands, which are considered vital to the area's water quality and ecosystem.

Construction begins on Tom Lee Park's boardwalk

Groundbreaking began on the $10.4 million "Memphis Flyway" project in June. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2026.

TDOT Transportation Alternatives Program

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has opened its FY 2025 Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) application cycle. The Transportation Alternatives Program has provided funds to hundreds of communities since 1991 across the Volunteer State to build sidewalks and bike lanes, update ADA accessibility, and renovate historic transportation facilities and other transportation-related structures. Approximately $10-20 million is available statewide, and applications are due October 4, 2024. More information on TDOT's TA Program can be found here.

USDOT Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program

The Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program (CFI Program) is a competitive grant program created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to strategically deploy publicly accessible electric vehicle charging and alternative fueling infrastructure in the places people live and work – urban and rural areas alike. Approximately $1.3 billion is available under the CFI program. Newly submitted applications are due August 28, 2024, and lead agencies must notify FHWA by July 1, 2024 for previously submitted applications to be considered for award. More information on the CFI program can be found here.

Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Program - Stage 1 Grants

The Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) discretionary grant program was established to provide grants to eligible public sector agencies to conduct demonstration projects focused on advanced smart community technologies and systems in order to improve transportation efficiency and safety. Approximately $50 million is available nationwide, and applications are due on July 12, 2024. More information on the SMART Grant Program can be found here.

Community Change Grants Program

The Environmental and Climate Justice Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Community Change Grants Program supports community-driven projects that deploy clean energy, strengthen climate resilience, and build capacity for communities to tackle environmental and climate justice challenges. Approximately $2 billion is available nationwide, and applications are due November 21, 2024. More information on the Community Change Grants Program can be found here.

Visit the MPO's Funding Opportunities webpage for more information on transportation funding opportunities available to eligible agencies and organizations throughout the Region.

April:

2: Power Projection Platform Route Findings Meeting - Virtual

3: Statewide IAC Call - Virtual

12: TDOT Monthly Coordination Call - Virtual

18: TN Safety Performance Measures Committee Meeting - Virtual

18: TN-MS-AR Ozone Tri-State Committee Meeting - Virtual

29: Joint TDOT TIMS/Memphis MPO TOAC Meeting - Virtual

Webinars & Trainings:

9: Address Clean Energy - Webinar

11: TN Household Survey Workshop - Training

17: FHWA/AASHTO Equity and Transportation Asset Management - Webinar

19: US Census Data for TN - Webinar

25: FHWA PEL Guidebook Updates - Webinar

25: AASHTOWARE Safety Training - Training

May:



10: TDOT Monthly Coordination Call - Virtual

16: MDOT Safety Performance Measures Meeting - Virtual

22: AMPO Policy Committee Meeting  - Virtual

23: Memphis MPO ETC & TPB Meetings - University of Memphis Holiday Inn

24: MDOT Performance Measures Meeting  - Virtual

30: Memphis MPO ATAC Meeting - Virtual

Webinars & Trainings:

8: FHWA NPRM PM - Webinar

21: FHWA How Pavement and Bridge Conditions Affect Transportation System Performance - Webinar

27: EDC Greenhouse Gas - Webinar

June:

5: Statewide IAC Call - Virtual

5: AMPO Policy Committee Meeting - Virtual

10: MS TIP Project Status Meeting - Hernando, MS

13: EPA ADVANCE Committee Meeting - Virtual

13: MS Freight Advisory Committee Meeting - Virtual

14: Regional Pedestrian and Bicycle Greenprint Plan Juneteenth Festival Pop-Up Event - Health Sciences Park, Memphis, TN

14: TDOT Monthly Coordination Call - Virtual

18: TDOT Strategic Highway Safety Plan Meeting - Virtual

14: Regional Pedestrian and Bicycle Greenprint Plan Downtown Memphis Food Truck Pop-Up Event - Memphis, TN

26: Regional Pedestrian and Bicycle Greenprint Plan Bartlett Library Pop-Up Event - Bartlett, TN

26: MATA Board Meeting - Virtual

27: Regional Pedestrian and Bicycle Greenprint Plan Collierville Farmers Market Pop-Up Event - Collierville, TN

28: Regional Pedestrian and Bicycle Greenprint Plan Agricenter Farmers Market Pop-Up Event - Memphis, TN

29: Regional Pedestrian and Bicycle Greenprint Plan Memphis Farmers Market Pop-Up Event - Memphis, TN

29: Regional Pedestrian and Bicycle Greenprint Plan Hernando Farmers Market Pop-Up Event - Hernando, MS

Webinars & Trainings:

5: FHWA Freight and Land Use Handbook Update Peer Exchange - Training

13: AMPO Active Transportation - Webinar

18: FHWA Virtual Peer Exchange on Methodologies for Improving Safety and Environmental Efficiencies in Truck Parking - Training

Upcoming Events:

June 29 - MPO Public Engagement Event - Hernando Farmers Market

June 29 - MPO Public Engagement Event - Memphis Farmers Market

July 4 - Holiday - MPO Offices will be Closed

September 2 - Holiday - MPO Offices will be Closed