Transportation | Transportation Planning

In a growing and diverse area like the Catawba Region, solutions are a vital necessity to the continued growth and vitality of the region. The region’s proximity to the major economic hub of Charlotte, North Carolina via Interstate I-77 combined with the transection of the counties within the region by several critical U.S. and South Carolina highways make proper transportation planning all the more important to the region’s healthy growth.

Through our extensive expertise in transportation planning, Catawba Regional Council of Governments has assisted the region’s communities in securing funding for the expansion and rehabilitation of numerous vital transportation corridors. In addition, services such as transportation corridor planning, long range transportation plan development, and our long-standing cooperative relationship with South Carolina Department of Transportation have all served to help insure that funds are being spent prudently to best serve the communities in the Catawba Region.

CRCOG Role in regional Transportation Planning

The Catawba Regional Council of Governments (CRCOG) is committed to developing an efficient, multi-modal transportation system which will increase the mobility of people and goods within the Catawba Region. A successful partnership with the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has enabled CRCOG to take a more active role in regional transportation issues The CRCOG assists SCDOT in the long-range planning of regional transportation improvements including highway infrastructure, public transit, planning studies, and other needs as appropriate. The COG works with jurisdictions in the region to prioritize local needs and make recommendations to SCDOT for funding of highway and transit projects.

CRCOG Transportation Advisory Committee

Each COG maintains a regional transportation advisory committee (TAC) with representatives from local government, transportation providers, and special interest groups. The COGs are encouraged to include representatives from the SCDOT, MPO staff if appropriate, representative from the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) if appropriate, transportation providers, County Transportation Committee (CTC), planning, zoning, and public works officials, community leaders, school district representatives, as well as underserved populations.

Regional Transportation Partners

South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT)

SCDOT District 4 and County Contact Information

Rock Hill-Fort Mill Area Transportation Study (RFATS) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)

York County Pennies for Progress

Lancaster County Transportation

Chester County

Charlotte Reginal Alliance for Transportation (CRAFT)

Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (MPO)

Centralina COG

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

Planning Documents and Programs

Rural Planning Work Program (RPWP)

The 2019-2021 Rural Planning Work Program (RPWP) describes the transportation planning activities undertaken by our office and is produced annually. Tasks included in the RPWP are the result of issues identified by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and the CRCOG Board which serves as the Policy Committee.

Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP)

The 2015-2040 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) is a comprehensive transportation planning document for the four-county Catawba Region. The LRTP defines the overarching goals for transportation in our region, establishes existing and future transportation needs of the region and allocates projected revenue to transportation programs and projects that address those needs.

Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

The 2021-2027 Catawba Region TIP outlines the planning objectives, priority status and funding source for all projects scheduled for construction over a six-year period. The TIP is submitted to SCDOT for approval and inclusion in the Statewide Transportation improvement Program (STIP). The STIP contains an accounting of federal highway funds approved by the SCDOT Commission for roadway improvements as well as certain public transit allocations.

2021-2027 TIP Narrative

2021-2027 TIP Financial Statement

State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP)

The STIP is organized according to DOT District Offices. The Catawba Region is covered by SCDOT District 4. Information on the Catawba Region and other District 4 counties.

Transportation Alternative Program (TAP)

The South Carolina Department of Transportation offers the Transportation Alternative Program. The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) was authorized by FASTAct. On December 4, 2015, President Obama signed the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (Pub. L. No. 114-94) into law—the first federal law in over a decade to provide long-term funding certainty for surface transportation infrastructure planning and investment. FAST Act built on the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). The Transportation Alternatives program focuses on expanding travel choices, strengthening the local economy, improving the quality of life, and protecting the environment.

Projects and Data

SCDOT Active Projects

SCDOT maintains a listing of active projects in the Catawba Region and statewide.

CRCOG Projects

Catawba Regional COG provides a variety of transportation planning services related to safe and efficient mobility for automobile, transit, bicycle and pedestrian modes of travel. The COG has worked with local jurisdictions on special projects such as the US 521-SC 9 Corridor Study –

Traffic Count Program

Our office maintains an inventory of all traffic counts collected by the South Carolina Department of Transportation within the Catawba Region. County maps date back to 1997 and are updated as data becomes available from SCDOT. CRCOG has created a traffic count map application for downloading information via the website.

Transportation Planning