Why does the SMTC exist?

Legislative History

The 1962 Federal Aid Highway Act mandated that all urbanized areas with a population over 50,000 establish a continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive (referred to as "3C") planning process. The 1974 Federal Aid Highway Act mandated the creation of an MPO in each area required to have a 3C planning process. Currently, funding for an MPO is provided by both the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration via TEA-21 legislation. (This link opens in a new window.) An MPO is required to periodically undergo a Federal certification process to ensure that it is adequately meeting Federal mandates.