Who We Are
The Franklin County Metropolitan Planning Organization (FCMPO) is a transportation policy-making and decision-making entity made up of community members that represent the interests of transportation, businesses, state and local governments, and the general public of Franklin County. The FCMPO is supported by the staff of the Franklin County Planning Department.
What We Do
In pursuit of the goals and planning processes outlined in 23 USC 134 and 49 USC 5303, FCMPO is responsible for the adherence to and periodic development and updating of Unified Planning Work Programs (UPWPs), Transportation Improvement Projects (TIPs), and Long Range Transportation Plans (LRTPs) among other planning tasks. FCMPO coordinates with PennDOT in planning for the transportation needs of the county.
Committees
The FCMPO consists of two committees:
The Policy Board is the decision-making body of FCMPO. The Board has 13 voting members including the county board of commissioners, PennDOT representatives, and elected municipal representatives among others.
The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) provides recommendations to the Policy Board on transportation-related matters and yields no decision-making authority. The TAC consists of 11 voting members including the Franklin County Planning Department Director, PennDOT representatives, and staff representatives for municipalities among others.
* The April 18, 2024, TAC meeting will be held at 2 p.m.
All FCMPO meetings have virtual and in-person options available for attendees unless otherwise noted. Meetings will be held in the Franklin County Administration Building, located at 272 N. Second St., Chambersburg, PA 17201. Please contact the Planning Office for virtual log-in information at 717-261-3855 or
planning@franklincountypa.gov.
Unified Planning Work Program
The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) is a statement of work that outlines a two-year period of transportation planning activities that are to be completed by the FCMPO in cooperation with local governments and agencies, including PennDOT, Federal Highways Administration and Federal Transit Administration. This statement includes a description of planning work and resulting products, which entities will perform the work, estimated timeframes for work completion, and sources of funding for the project. After public comment, the 2024-2025 UPWP was adopted on February 15, 2024.
Public Participation Plan and Title VI Plan
The Public Participation Plan (PPP) is comprised of methods the FCMPO continually utilizes to reach out to and engage with all members of the public and guides the FCMPO's efforts to offer early, continuous and meaningful opportunities to identify social, economic and environmental impacts of proposed transportation policies and activity. The Title VI Plan declares the FCMPO's adherence to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and outlines the continual efforts the county undertakes on a regular basis to ensure compliance to these and related statutes. Following a public comment period, the 2024 updates to both the PPP and Title VI Plan were adopted on May 16, 2024.
I-81 Project Prioritization
Many plans have been developed to look at transportation improvement needs along the I-81 corridor through Franklin County. The I-81 Project Prioritization Plan evaluates available data, funding, and public input in creating actionable steps in improving the Interstate and its interchanges. The plan will serve as the MPOs long term strategy in programming TIP funds and in advocating for Interstate Management funds.
Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP)
The LRTP serves as a 20-year, multi-modal guide for improving, operating, and maintaining our surface transportation system for both existing and potential future transportation needs. Current and future land use, economic development, and environmental concerns are all factors that are considered in the strategic development of the LRTP to achieve regional goals and objectives. Performance-based planning is used in the development of the LRTP to ensure effective and efficient use of public resources.
2045 LRTP Public Survey Results
2045 Long Range Transportation Plan (HTML)
Air Quality Resolution
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and Air Quality Conformity Analysis (AQCA)
The TIP is a list of priority projects over a four-year period that addresses safety and congestion, highway/bridge maintenance, bicycle/pedestrian accessibility, and freight-related improvements. The AQCA demonstrates the FCMPO's continuing transportation conformity to federal air quality standards. Following a 30-day public commentary period from April 10, 2024-May 10, 2024, the 2025-2028 TIP and AQCA were formally adopted on May 16, 2024.
Survey: Cumberland Valley Rail Trail Extension Project
The FCMPO is seeking public input on expanding the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail (CVRT) from Shippensburg south to Chambersburg through an
online survey. Through this survey, participants can offer feedback on possible trail alignments as well as significant destinations they would like to see accessible from the trail. The survey is open through October 15. The public is also invited to offer feedback during a community open house starting at 5 p.m. October 2 at the Franklin County Administration Building. The survey and open house are part of FCMPO's CVRT Feasibility Study to assess the viability of extending the CVRT from its southern terminus near Shippensburg into Franklin County to connect to the Chambersburg Rail Trail. Public input is crucial to the decision-making process as the FCMPO considers possible trail alignments as well as potential features and amenities to be incorporated along the trail.
Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) Guidance and Call for Projects
The Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) is a new funding avenue established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act/Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (IIJA/BIL) to provide expanded opportunities to invest in transportation infrastructure within the county. Franklin County is currently accepting project proposals that meet eligibility according to this guidance through October 4, 2024. Proposals can be submitted in physical format to Steven J Thomas, Franklin County Planning Department, 272 North Second Street, Chambersburg PA 17201, or by email at
planning@franklincountypa.gov. For more information, Matthew Romero at the email provided or by calling 717-261-3855.
Franklin County CRP Guidance
Adopted Documents
Franklin County Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan 2021
FCMPO Title VI Plan
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Policy
Annual List of Obligations
Public Participation Plan
US Bicycle Route 11 System Study & Route Evaluation
The Franklin County Metropolitan Planning Organization (FCMPO) assures that no person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, national origin, religion, or sex, as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 (P.L. 100.259). With advance notification, accommodations may be provided at any meeting open to the public for those with special needs related to language, speech, sight, or hearing. If you have a request for a special need, wish to file a complaint, or desire additional information, please contact the FCMPO at the Franklin County Planning Department (717) 261-3855 or planning@franklincountypa.gov. Concerns or complaints not addressed by the FCMPO or Planning Department will follow the Franklin County grievance policy.