Long-Range Transportation Plan

The Western Connecticut Council of Governments (WestCOG) consists of 18 member municipalities. It is dedicated to preserving and improving the quality of life and economic vitality in western Connecticut. WestCOG serves as the staff to the South Western Region MPO (SWRMPO) and the Housatonic Valley MPO (HVMPO).
Per federal requirements, each MPO must prepare a Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) every four years which is a prerequisite for federal transportation funding. The LRTP covers a 25-year study period and serves as a guide for developing a transportation system that is accessible, safe, and reliable, thereby contributing to a higher quality of life for the region’s residents.

The previous 2015 LRTPs are available on our website here.

For the latest listening sessions, please see plan.westcog.org or click here.

Development of the LRTP

During the development of the LRTP, many topics are studied to better understand emerging demographic and transportation trends in the region. Understanding these demands allows the region to identify short and long term investments that will enhance the transportation system. Based on findings from the data analysis, as well as feedback from the public and municipalities, the LRTP will develop investment strategies to guide transportation improvements. These strategies will be fiscally-constrained and will be phased over a 25-year period.

LRTP Planning Factors

The metropolitan transportation planning process shall be continuous, cooperative, and comprehensive, and provide for consideration and implementation of projects, strategies, and services that will address the following factors:
(1) Support the economic vitality of the metropolitan area, especially by enabling global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency;
(2) Increase the safety of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users;
(3) Increase the security of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users;
(4) Increase accessibility and mobility of people and freight;
(5) Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and State and local planned growth and economic development patterns;
(6) Enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and between modes, for people and freight;
(7) Promote efficient system management and operation;
(8) Emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system;
(9) Improve the resiliency and reliability of the transportation system and reduce or mitigate storm water impacts of surface transportation; and
(10) Enhance travel and tourism.

Investment Strategies

Based on findings from the data analysis, as well as feedback from the public and municipalities, the LRTP will develop investment strategies to guide transportation improvements. These strategies will be fiscally-constrained and will be phased over a 25-year period.

We Want to Hear From You!

WestCOG is kicking off the public engagement process by hosting a series of information sessions across the region to meet with residents who are interested in the transportation system. Members of the public are encouraged to attend these information sessions to discuss the LRTP and other transportation topics.

The schedule can be found here. You can also subscribe to the LRTP mailing list below!

Congestion Management Process

Per Federal regulation §450.322, the transportation planning process must address congestion management in all Transportation Management Areas (TMA). SWRMPO meets the criteria of a TMA with a population over 200,000.  Since the formation of WestCOG, which now hosts both SWRMPO and HVMPO, highly congested roadways on the national highway system in the HVMPO have also been monitored and reported on.

Specifically, the Congestion Management Process (CMP) includes the following steps:

1. Determine the highway and transit CMP network;
2. Define congestion, including parameters to be measured and associated thresholds;
3. Identify congested links, including review of CTDOT’s Annual Congestion Management System (CMS) report;
4. Develop strategies to address congested links;
5. Implement short- and long-term strategies;
6. Monitor the network, including improvements.

A detailed version of the 2014 Congestion Management Process report can be found here.

The three major arterial roadways in the region are Interstate 95, Interstate 84 and the Merritt Parkway (Route 15). Updated briefings for each specific corridor were created in 2016 and can be accessed here:

• Interstate 95
• Interstate 84
• Route 15