Quarterly Newsletter - Winter 2025

Our first round of public outreach for the MOVING TOGETHER: 2055 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) is complete! Thank you to everyone who shared our online survey, hosted our outreach events, and engaged with us in person. Be on the lookout for future engagement opportunities as we continue development of the plan.

Shelby Farms Greenline Extension Complete

The Shelby Farms Greenline expanded east by 2.29 miles bringing the total trail length to 12.49 miles. This trail is a well-used corridor of active transportation in the region, as it receives over 1 million visits a year. This project is funded in part by the Memphis MPO.

Renaming Memphis Airport to Honor Fred Smith

Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority has submitted Frederick W. Smith International Airport as the new name for the MEM airport. This renaming is to honor FedEx founder, the late Fred Smith.

I-55 Widening Begins

Construction has begun on an estimated $156 million investment into the widening of I-55 through DeSoto County. The first phase of the project is estimated to take approximately three years to complete.

Cobblestone Landing Project Ribbon-Cutting

The Memphis riverfront gets a makeover with a $17-million renovation of the cobblestone landing. The cobblestone site creates a gathering space for the community along the water's edge. 


MATA Zero-Fare Pilot
Memphis-area residents and visitors are able to ride MATA’s Bus, Trolley, and MATAplus services at no cost due to a 90-day zero fare pilot which began on November 16th. This pilot is to help address transportation needs in the community.

USDOT BUILD Grant Program

The BUILD (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development) Grant Program is a competitive federal grant (formerly known as TIGER or RAISE) administered by USDOT that provides funding for surface transportation infrastructure projects with significant local or regional impact. The program funds planning and construction projects that improve safety, mobility, economic competitiveness, environmental sustainability, and quality of life. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, transit agencies, and port authorities, for projects such as highways, bridges, public transportation, rail, port infrastructure, and intermodal facilities.

There is $1.5 billion available for FY 2026 with a maximum award size of $25 million. The application deadline is February 24, 2026

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

October

1: Statewide IAC Call

7: Shelby Farms Greenline Extension Ribbon Cutting

7: AMPO Tuned In: A National Dialogue

10: TDOT/ MPO/ FHWA Monthly Call

15-16: Sunbelt Atlantic Rail Meeting

23: ETC 2055 RTP Call

25-30: RTP Phase 1 Outreach

30: TDOT Freight Advisory Committee

Webinars & Trainings

10: Eno Center Webinar: Responding to Policy Changes and Preparing for Reauthorization

November

12: Horn Lake SS4A Meeting

14: TDOT/MPO/FHWA Monthly Call

17: Sunbelt Atlantic Rail Meeting

20: Core TMA Advisory Committee

24: R4 TIM Self- Assessment



Webinars & Trainings

12: Implications of Automated Vehicles and Shared Mobility to Transportation Performance Management

17-19: Introduction to Python

December

3: Statewide IAC Call

10: Horn Lake SS4A

11: IAC 2055 RTP Call

12: TDOT/MPO/ FHWA Monthly Call

16: ETC 2055 RTP Call

18: TN Bike and Pedestrian Task Force



Webinars & Trainings

4: Performance Management in 2026 and Beyond - AASHTO Webinar

Upcoming Events

December 25-26 Holiday - MPO Offices Will Be Closed

January 1 Holiday - MPO Offices Will Be Closed

January 19 Holiday - MPO Offices Will Be Closed

February 16 Holiday - MPO Offices Will Be Closed

February 26 ETC/TPB Meetings

Memphis Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

125 North Main Street, Room 450, Memphis, TN 38103

PH: 901.636.7190

memphismpo.org