The Regional Transportation Plan for Monterey County is a long range (20 year) plan, updated every four years. The Regional Transportation Plan forms the basis for the Metropolitan Transportation Plan prepared by the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG) for the Monterey Bay Area pursuant to Federal Highway Administration and Caltrans transportation planning requirements. As the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Monterey Bay Area, AMBAG incorporates the financial assumptions and project lists included in the Regional Transportation Plans for Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties into the Metropolitan Transportation Plan.

Pursuant to state and federal guidelines, the Regional Transportation Plan includes a countywide multi-modal needs assessment, transportation policy element, long-range funding forecast, funding-constrained project list, and a program-level environmental review document assessing the probable environmental impacts associated with implementation of the plan. Public participation is sought after in the development of the Regional Transportation Plan for each of the project steps, and as adopted by AMBAG through the Monterey Bay Area Public Participation Plan. 

Approval of the Final 2022 Regional Transportation Plan, adoption of CEQA findings and adoption of the joint Environmental Impact report is planned for June 2022. Current activities related to development of the Plan are highlighted below: 

Policy Element

In February 2020, the TAMC Board adopted the Plan's Policy Element, identifying the Plan's goals, policy objectives and performance metrics. The Policy Element is included as a web attachment. 

Project Lists

TAMC staff coordinated with public works officials for all jurisdictions, including Airports, in Monterey County in Spring 2020. After reviewing the updated project lists, staff is now actively updating the AMBAG TELUS Database. After each jurisdiction's edits are added to the TELUS Database, staff will send an electronic copy of the draft 2022 Project List to staff for review and confirmation. 

TAMC Board adoption of the constrained project list is anticipated for January or February 2021. Final edits to the project lists must be provided to TAMC staff by Friday December 4, 2020. 

Financial Estimates

TAMC staff has been actively working with AMBAG to develop financial assumptions that will be used for the 2022 Plan. These financial assumptions will guide how much local, state and federal funding will be reasonably available for transportation investments included in the 2022 Plan. 

Environmental Analysis

Development of the regional Metropolitan Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy includes the development of a programmatic-level Environmental Impact Report. AMBAG is anticipated to release the Draft Environmental Document in December 2021 for public review and comment.