West Alabama
Rural Planning Organization (RPO)
The West Alabama Rural Planning Organization (RPO) conducts a rural transportation planning process in six west Alabama counties (Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, and Pickens). WARPO serves as the Alabama Department of Transportation consultation process with non-metropolitan local officials in west Alabama. The RPO functions somewhat like the Tuscaloosa Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). An important distinction between the MPO and the RPO is that all RPO recommendations and documents are only advisory at this time.
The West Alabama RPO started as a pilot project in fiscal year 2005. The project was financed by federal transportation planning funds provided by the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) and by local government funds provided by the West Alabama Regional Commission. In fiscal year 2007 ALDOT expanded the program by funding 11 other RPOs that cover the other rural counties in Alabama.
Organization
The West Alabama Rural Planning Organization (RPO) is composed of three committees. The Policy Committee is the official decision-making body of the process. The Policy Committee is served by two advisory committees: the Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC) and Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC).
Planning Area
The planning area includes the six rural counties served by the West Alabama Regional Commission: Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, and Pickens. Tuscaloosa is not included in the study area because it is already served by a transportation planning process governed by the Tuscaloosa Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. Tuscaloosa County does have non-voting representatives on the RPO Policy and TCC.
Staff
Dennis Stripling
Transportation Planning Process Coordinator of the West Alabama RPO
205-333-2990, Ext. 218
Zane Davis
Transportation Planning Director
205-333-2990, Ext. 227
Chris Wriley
Senior Transportation Planner
205-333-2990, Ext. 224
Molly Dodson GIS Specialist 205-333-2990, Ext. 213
Meeting Notification
If you wish to receive news releases for upcoming RPO meetings please send an e-mail with your name and address to zane.davis@westal.org.