On July 18, 2024, the Planning Commission adopted the Major Transportation Corridors Plan (MTCP) as an element of the El Paso County Master Plan.
The El Paso County Major Transportation Corridors Plan (MTCP) is a comprehensive guide for the transportation network in unincorporated El Paso County, Colorado. This plan documents the vision for transportation and provides a list of needed improvements, a funding plan, and a long-term right-of-way preservation plan, as well as policies and strategies to implement the plan.
The fundamental goal of the MTCP is to identify the roadway improvements needed to safely handle current and future traffic. Also serving as the basis for the County’s Road Impact Fee program, the MTCP updates the methodology to ensure that new development helps fund roadway infrastructure improvements needed to accommodate growth from residential and commercial development. The MTCP is updated regularly to keep pace with ever-changing growth, safety, and travel needs.
MTCP Goals
- Fiscally Responsible & Optimized
- Improved Transportation Safety
- Connected Network of All Travel Modes
- Efficient & Reliable
- Well-Maintained Infrastructure
- Sustainable & Resilient
The plan outlines the vision, goals, and strategies for improving transportation infrastructure to accommodate current and future growth. Key components of the plan include:
- Introduction: Overview of El Paso County, its demographics, and the purpose of the MTCP, which aims to identify necessary roadway improvements and funding mechanisms.
- Community Engagement: Summarizes public and stakeholder engagement phases from 2022 to 2024, highlighting community priorities and feedback on transportation needs.
- Existing Conditions: Analysis of current travel patterns, roadway network, multimodal transportation options, and crash history in the county.
- Growth in the County: Projections for population, household, and employment growth through 2050, emphasizing the need for transportation infrastructure to support this growth.
- 2045 Plan Recommendations: Detailed recommendations for roadway, multimodal, transit, and freight improvements to meet future demands. This includes specific projects for rural and urban road upgrades, gravel road upgrades, road widening, and new road connections.
- Corridor Preservation Plan: Strategies for preserving right-of-way for future roadway expansions and ensuring development does not encroach on these areas.
- Implementation Plan: Overview of funding sources, including federal and state transportation funds, property taxes, and the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA), and recommendations to improve safety for all users.
The MTCP aims to create a well-maintained, efficient, and safe transportation network that supports the county’s growth and enhances the quality of life for its residents.