RPO Project Ranking Process
The RPO process is intended to be a consistent, transparent, and structured method for involving local officials and the public in TDOT’s transportation planning and decision-making process. The RPO’s are tasked to provide input to TDOT on which transportation projects should receive higher or lower priority. This consultation process takes place at least once annually during fall meetings of the RPOs in a public meeting. TDOT staff, typically the Regional Project Development Office, gives a presentation to RPO members on the status updates of current and future projects to provide information that can assist with their project prioritization. The prioritization process includes consideration of projects that are not funded for the next available phase in the process (Construction, Right of Way, or PE). Project ranking provides TDOT requested feedback from the local leaders of their local priorities. The RPO process (and MPO process, respectively) assists TDOT with gathering feedback.
Transportation Modernization Act (Build With Us)
The Transportation Modernization Act (TMA) fundamentally changed the way TDOT delivers projects. The TMA accomplished this generational change in infrastructure policy without raising taxes, issuing road debt, spending a disproportionate amount of funds in urban areas, reducing our maintenance budget or proposing toll roads.
An investment strategy for the $3 billion general fund transfer approved in April 2023 evenly distributed funds across all four TDOT regions to advance critical transportation projects. TDOT innovated its project prioritization process to develop its first ever 10-Year Project Plan. The TMA will provide the state with innovative tools to address traffic congestion, especially in our urban areas, freeing up funding to invest in our rural and suburban communities, all without raising the gas tax or taking on debt.
Click here to learn more about the Transportation Modernization Act, the 10-Year Project Plan, the prioritization process, or visit TDOT’s Build With Us.
Statewide Partnership Program (SPP)
As part of TDOT’s 10-Year Project Planning process, the Statewide Partnership Program (SPP) is a critical avenue for local stakeholders to provide input on their priorities to better inform the annual reassessment of TDOT’s 10-Year Project Plan. The program supports local authorities in maximizing funding dollars for critical local mobility and economic development needs.
TDOT is committed to working with Tennessee’s local jurisdictions, municipalities, and counties, through their respective MPOs and RPOs to identify priorities and accelerate projects with identified local funding and support. Accordingly, all submissions gathered through this process [August of each year] will be evaluated for inclusion in TDOT’s updated 10-Year Project Plan, which will be released in December of that year. All project proposals will be evaluated based on performance, deliverability, and cost. TDOT intends to prioritize projects that are MPO and RPO priorities and represent a significant financial investment by locals with funds that efficiently leverage non-state funding sources. The SPP is primarily meant as a first step in the planning process to gather data on local needs, priorities, and ability to partner with TDOT. Think of this new process as “open enrollment” for TDOT projects; rather than communities advocating for their priorities at disparate and ad-hoc times throughout the year, this structure allows for standardized information to be provided during a specific period. While submissions gathered are not guaranteed to receive funding, all information provided is essential in the development of future 10-Year Plans and for TDOT to better understand, and further communicate, the outstanding critical transportation funding needs in Tennessee.
When you’re ready to engage, contact your MPO/RPO coordinator or your TDOT Office of Community Transportation (OCT) representative for the next steps.
For more information about the Statewide Partnership Program, including FAQ, please visit the website link at Statewide Partnership Program
