WFRC staff urges public comment on RTP; notes EPA preliminary ozone determination

Wayne Bennion, WFRC Short Range Planning Director, opened the staff report portion of the meeting by explaining how the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) relate: projects included in the RTP’s first 10 years are then included in the TIP. He urged jurisdictions and stakeholders to participate in the RTP public comment period, which runs through May 13.

Bennion also highlighted funding and planning tools available to local jurisdictions, including the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) opportunity and the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan. He reported that the Environmental Protection Agency had made a preliminary determination that ozone‑causing pollutants blown in from outside Utah will no longer be counted toward Utah's attainment conformity levels and said the Trans Com follow‑up email will include links to more information.

"The projects that are included in the RTP’s first phase or first 10 years of the plan, are then included in the TIP," Bennion said. The committee did not take formal action on the RTP in this meeting; staff encouraged stakeholders to submit comments before the stated deadline.