The Greater Madison Area is growing. Between 2000 and 2020, it is estimated the Dane County population grew by 27% - adding around 117,000 people. Between 2020 and 2050, the population is forecast to grow by another 196,000 to 739,000. By 2050 the county is also expected to add around 127,000 jobs compared to 2016, pre pandemic. To accommodate that growth, the region must have an integrated, well-planned transportation network that meets the needs of all who live, work, or play here.

The purpose of the Connect Greater Madison Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) for 2050 is to identify how the region intends to invest in the transportation system to accommodate current travel demands and future growth, while setting investment priorities balancing limited funds. The plan will also include strategies to address important trends such as rapidly evolving transportation technology and the rise of teleworking, as well as addressing critical issues including equity and climate change. The RTP addresses all transportation modes, including roadways, public transit, bicycling, pedestrians, inter-regional travel, and freight. The RTP will ensure that transportation projects are coordinated between the various levels of government (municipal, county, state, and federal). Finally, the plan will ensure eligibility of projects for federal transportation funding as the plan serves as the framework for guiding federally funded transportation investments. 

Visit the Connect Greater Madison Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) for 2050 project web page to learn more and get involved in shaping the future of transportation in the Greater Madison Area.

What is the Regional Transportation Plan for the Madison Metropolitan Area?

The purpose of regional transportation plans (RTP) is to identify how the region intends to invest in the transportation system across all modes.  RTPs ensure that transportation projects are coordinated between the various levels of government (municipal, county, state, and federal). The Madison Area RTP 2050 contains this new coordinated vision for our region.

Federal law requires RTPs for urban areas over 50,000 in population as a condition for spending federal highway and transit funding.   RTPs must:

• Forecast for demand for transportation facilities and services for 20 or more years
• Identify policies, strategies, and projects that are recommended for the future
• Include both short-range and long-range strategies and actions that lead to the development of an integrated multi-modal transportation system
• Contain reasonable cost estimates for identified capital investments and operations and maintenance
• Be updated every five years in air quality attainment areas (such as the Greater Madison Area).

Greater Madison MPO’s current RTP was adopted in April of 2017.  For more information about the regional transportation planning process, please review the project fact sheet.

NOTE: Amendment No.1 to RTP 2050

An amendment to the Regional Transportation Plan 2050 to add a project on the Beltline (U.S. Highways 12/14/18/151) from Whitney Way to Interstate 39/90 to implement Dynamic Part-Time Shoulder Use was approved by Greater Madison MPO in December 2019. 

• Resolution approving the plan amendment.

• US 12 (Madison Beltline) Resurfacing Alternatives Project Website

NOTE: Amendment No. 2 to RTP 2050

An amendment to RTP 2050 to add the East-West Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project to the official, fiscally constrained plan, along with a Satellite Bus Garage project was approved by Greater Madison MPO in August 2020.

• Resolution with attachments approving Amendment No. 2 (PDF)

NOTE: Amendment No. 3 to RTP 2050

An amendment to RTP 2050 to add a WisDOT project to reconstruct U.S. Highway 51 between McFarland and Stoughton with intersection improvements and an expansion to 4 lanes on the west side of Stoughton was approved by Greater Madison MPO in March 2021.

• Resolution with attached map approving the plan amendment (PDF)

• USH 51 (McFarland to Stoughton) Project Website

Regional Transportation Plan 2050 Full Report without Appendix (PDF) (34 MB)

• Cover and Index (1 MB)
• Executive Summary (3 MB)
• Chapter I: Introduction (3 MB)
• Chapter II: National & Regional Trends

           (8 MB)

• Chapter III: Our Transportation System

           (11 MB)

• Chapter IV: Goals, Policies, and Performance Measures (2 MB)
• Chapter V: Needs Analysis and Recommendations (6 MB)
• Chapter VI: Financial Capacity Analysis

           (2 MB)

Regional Transportation Plan 2050 Full Appendix (PDF) (216 MB)

• Appendix A: Project and Policy Recommendations (1 MB)
• Appendix B: Environmental Justice Analysis (8 MB)
• Appendix C: Environmental Analysis

           (21 MB)

• Appendix D: Map Book (88 MB)
• Appendix E: MPO Composition and History (10 MB)
• Appendix F: Pedestrian Facilities Toolbox

           (1 MB)

• Appendix G: Public Participation and Responses to Comments (84 MB)
• Appendix H: Travel Model Summary Statistics (3 MB)
• Appendix I: Performance Measures Report (22 MB)

Regional Transportation Plan 2050 Full Report with Full Appendix (PDF) (232 MB)

Regional Transportation Plan 2050 Website