Area Transportation Partnerships (ATP)
MnDOT created Area Transportation Partnerships over two decades ago in response to changes in federal law that increased state flexibility and the need for public involvement in transportation planning and program decision-making. ATPs were established by each district specifically to facilitate broader input to the federal project selection process for the development of the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), which is a four-year program of state and local projects with federal highway and transit funding, as well as 100% state project funding. There are eight ATPs statewide.
ATP– 4 covers the 12 counties of Becker, Big Stone, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Mahnomen, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Swift, Traverse and Wilkin.
Schedule of activities
- October — February: solicit Statewide Transportation Improvement Program projects for four fiscal years plus one additional planning year
- February — April: select projects; public comment period on projects
- April 15: draft ATP due to Office of Capital Program and Performance Measurement
- May 1: OCPPM prepares draft STIP; sends to district / ATP
- May — June: review and comment on STIP; due July 1
- July — August: OCPPM develops final draft STIP
- August — October: MnDOT approves STIP and sends to FHWA / FTA for review
- October — November: STIP approved by FHWA/FTA
More information is available at: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/d4/atp/
Transportation Studies
Current studies
- An access management study of Hwy 10 through Lake Park began in summer 2011. MnDOT is working with the city of Lake Park and Becker County to develop proposed improvements along Highway 10 in Lake Park and corresponding county roads and city streets. The study focuses on short- and long-term solutions for future access, capacity and safety improvement planning for existing and future roads. A key area of the study is access solutions related to the new Lake Park Audubon high school, scheduled to open in fall 2012.
Recently completed studies
- A comprehensive plan and transportation needs study of the Wadena area began in fall 2011 as a cooperative partnership with the city of Wadena and Wadena and Otter Tail counties. Please visit http://www.dot.state.mn.us/d4/projects/wadena/ for more information.
- An access management and regional transportation needs study of the Detroit Lakes area through a partnership with the city of Detroit Lakes and Becker County concluded in February 2011. The final study report was published in June 2011 and can be found at http://www.dot.state.mn.us/consult/documents/D4detroitlakesfinalreport.pdf.
- A planning study to identify transportation issues, needs and to provide recommendations for transportation improvements in the Alexandria area concluded in January 2011. The final study report was published in March 2011 and can be found at http://www.dot.state.mn.us/consult/documents/D4alexandriafinalreport.pdf.