Metropolitan Planning Enhancement Act

HR 5711, the Metropolitan Planning Enhancement Act, requires metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and state transportation agencies to publicly disclose how transportation projects are selected. It mandates that projects in adopted plans must be chosen using transparent criteria aligned with national goals and state priorities, with projects categorized by performance. If lower-ranked projects are included in priority lists, agencies must publicly explain the rationale, including factors like geographic balance or projects in economically distressed areas. This applies to metropolitan, statewide, and nonmetropolitan transportation planning under federal law. The bill directly affects MPOs and state DOTs responsible for developing transportation plans and improvement programs.