The Metropolitan Planning Organization develops three key documents (plans) that are the ingredients for transportation planning and programming for the Lake Charles Metropolitan Area:

View each plan by clicking on the links below (PDF format):

• Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP)  

• Long Range Transportation Master Plan (MTP)  Attachments to the Appendices are pending availability on this website.

• Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)   Any portions of the online TIP that are not available can be viewed in the IMCAL office or at the libraries in Sulphur, Westlake or at the Lake Charles Ernest Street location.

Together, in tandem, these three documents represent the beginning, middle and end process, or recipe, if you will – for transportation planning success (Click on the MPO Project Selection Process for more details).  Also, if your in need of a Stage 0 application and environmental checklist click on Stage 0.

 MPO Plans & Studies

       1.  Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP)

Developed annually, the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) identifies the funding sources, implementing agencies that will be cooking up planning activities to be worked on by the MPO and its staff in the upcoming year. Other plans and studies conducted by the Lake Charles Area MPO include:

• Coordination In Human Services Transportation Plan (HSTP)

• Public Participation Plan (PPP)   Adopted December 19, 2007 

      2.  Long Range Transportation Plan (MTP-20 Years into the Future)

The MPO is required to develop the Long Range Transportation (Master Plan (MTP). A blueprint to guide the establishment of priorities for development programs and transportation projects within Lake Charles Urbanized Metropolitan Area, the MTP identifies needed improvements and transportation goals 20 years into the future. Seeking to balance investments in various transportation modes against anticipated funding from federal, state and local sources, the MTP reflects ever changing conditions and new planning principles and is based upon regional population and economic growth projections.

       3.  Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

The TIP or Transportation Improvement Plan, which identifies, prioritizes and allocates anticipated funding for transportation improvements over the next 4 years, is updated annually. It is not a wish list. Rather, the TIP is the culmination of the planning process, the MTP and UPWP.

Click here for the current "La DOTD/LCMPO Letting List".  The Letting List is a spreadsheet of information detailing each transportation project in the LCMPO.  Each project listed is currently authorized, financially constrained in the TIP and awaiting bids for construction.  

It represents a consensus among local, state and regional officials as to what tangible and funded transportation improvements to services and facilities to pursue in the short- term for:

•  Roadways

•              Aviation

•              Transit

•              Port

•              Pedestrian

•              Bicycle

•              Transportation

•              Disadvantaged

Also, see our Coordination In Human Services Transportation Plan (HSTP), which outlines proactive measures in planning for the coordination of transit services in the entire IMCAL area.   Also, attach the Self Assessment Tool .

• Maps and traffic counts for the Lake Charles Urbanized Area Metropolitan Planning Organization can be viewed at the following links: 

                       Traffic Counts

                       MTP Stage I map

                       MTP Stage II map

                       MTP Stage III map

                       Functional Class map

                       MPO Boundary map

                       Funding Calculations for MTP

                       MPO Project Selection Process Form and Instructions

                       Stage 0 Application and Environmental Checklist

   

 

             For more information, contact the Lake Charles Urbanized Area MPO Professional Staff:

Click on the Lake Charles Area MPO Power Point