About Us

The Wichita Falls Metropolitan Planning Organization (WFMPO) is a federally required organization that helps plan transportation projects, like roads, public transit, and bike paths, for the Wichita Falls area. The main reason for having an MPO like WFMPO is to make sure federal funds are spent wisely and that transportation projects meet the region’s needs.

What WFMPO Does

WFMPO works with cities, counties, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), federal agencies, local businesses, and the public to create a safe, efficient, and affordable transportation system. Its job is to coordinate transportation planning across the region, which includes:

The City of Wichita Falls
The City of Lakeside City
The City of Pleasant Valley
Wichita County

The goal is to speak with one voice for the region and to ensure transportation decisions benefit everyone. Other priorities include:

Boosting the local economy
Improving safety for all travelers
Offering more transportation choices
Protecting the environment and saving energy
Maintaining and improving the existing transportation network

WFMPO’s Plans and Programs

WFMPO develops several key planning documents to guide transportation investments:

Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP): A long-term (25-year) plan for future transportation needs.
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP): A short-term (4-year) list of funded projects.
Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP): A yearly plan that outlines the MPO’s planning tasks.
Other plans: WFMPO also works on thoroughfare plans, transit development, bicycle and pedestrian planning, and travel forecasting models.

How Decisions Are Made

WFMPO encourages public input and brings together local voices to guide how federal transportation dollars are spent. The organization includes two main committees:

Technical Advisory Committee (TAC): Made up of transportation professionals from the city and TxDOT, this group reviews data and makes recommendations.
Transportation Policy Committee (TPC): Made up of elected and appointed officials, this committee makes the final decisions about transportation policy and funding.

Federal Transportation Law: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) is the current federal transportation law, signed into law on November 15, 2021. It replaces the FAST Act and provides funding through fiscal year 2026.

Key IIJA Highlights:

Provides $1.2 trillion total for infrastructure over five years
Includes $110 billion for roads, bridges, and major projects
Invests $39 billion in public transit
Allocates $66 billion for passenger and freight rail
Supports electric vehicles with $7.5 billion for charging stations
Promotes equity and environmental justice through programs like Reconnecting Communities