Transportation Outlook 2040: Metropolitan Kansas City's Long Range Transportation Plan

Transportation Outlook 2040 is Greater Kansas City's metropolitan transportation plan that will guide an estimated $33.1 billion in multimodal investments in the bistate region over the next 25 years. For nearly two years, MARC committees and staff worked with local government planners, elected officials, regional stakeholders and the public to update the plan. The MARC Board of Directors adopted the Transportation Outlook 2040 update on June 23, 2015.

This plan refreshes the 2010 policy framework.  In addition, it forecasts eroding purchasing power in state and federal funds and estimates higher costs to operate and maintain the regional transportation system.  The plan therefore anticipates greater reliance on local resources.

Input to the plan came from a variety of sources, and, in return, those sources have been strengthened.  In particular, the plan enhances the strategic role of Complete Streets and reinforces development and redevelopment along corridors and activity centers.

The plan projects moderate growth in regional population and employment over its life and incorporates recommendations from regional studies completed since 2010.

Performance measurements are a central part of Transportation Outlook 2040.  In addition, the plan covers streets and highways as well as public transportation, land use, activity centers and corridors, Environmental issues (e.g., air quality and environmental justice), are also a substantial component, as is social equity. For the first time,the built environment and its effects on public health become an integral part of the plan.