The Greater Madison Area is growing. Between 2020 and 2050, the population is forecast to grow by 35%, adding nearly 195,000 additional people and nearly 127,000 new jobs. To accommodate that growth, the region must have an integrated, well-planned transportation network that meets the needs of all who live, work, or play here.

The purpose of the Connect Greater Madison 2050 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) is to identify how the region intends to invest in the transportation system to accommodate current travel demands and future growth, while setting investment priorities balancing limited funds. The plan includes strategies to address important trends such as rapidly evolving transportation technology and the rise of teleworking, as well as addressing critical issues including equity and climate change. The RTP addresses all transportation modes, including roadways, public transit, bicycling, pedestrians, inter-regional travel, and freight.

Connect Greater Madison 2050 identifies nearly $12.5 billion in regional multimodal investments over the next three decades. The RTP will ensure that transportation projects are coordinated between the various levels of government (municipal, county, state, and federal). Finally, the plan ensures the eligibility of projects for federal transportation funding, as it serves as the framework for guiding federally funded transportation investments. 

What is the Regional Transportation Plan for the Madison Metropolitan Area?

Federal law requires RTPs for urban areas over 50,000 in population as a condition for spending federal highway and transit funding.  RTPs must:

• Forecast for demand for transportation facilities and services for 20 or more years
• Identify policies, strategies, and projects that are recommended for the future
• Include both short-range and long-range strategies and actions that lead to the development of an integrated multi-modal transportation system
• Contain reasonable cost estimates for identified capital investments and operations and maintenance
• Be updated every five years

The Connect Greater Madison 2050 RTP was adopted in May 2022, replacing the previous RTP 2050.

Connect Greater Madison was developed in coordination with the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission’s 2050 Regional Development Framework, which serves as the region’s advisory land use guide. The Framework draws on public priorities, local government input, and growth projections to establish goals, objectives, and strategies for accommodating future growth in the Dane County region.

See how the MPO and CARPC plan collaboratively for the Madison region: Greater Madison Plans Together

Connect Greater Madison Regional Transportation Plan 2050 Interactive Summary

Connect Greater Madison 2050 RTP Full Report without Appendix (PDF) (16 MB)

• Cover and Table of Contents (1 MB)
• Executive Summary (2 MB)
• Chapter 1: Introduction (2 MB)
• Chapter 2: Nation & Regional Trends and Forecasts (1 MB)
• Chapter 3: Our Transportation System Today (8 MB)
• Chapter 4: Our Transportation System Tomorrow: 2050 (6 MB)
• Chapter 5: Funding the Plan: Financial Capacity Analysis (2 MB)

Connect Greater Madison 2050 RTP Full Appendix

• Appendix A: Project and Policy recommendations (PDF) (1 MB)
• Appendix B: System Performance Report (PDF) (1 MB)
• Appendix C: Environmental Justice Analysis (PDF) (5 MB)
• Appendix D: Environmental Assessment (PDF) (2 MB)
• Appendix E: Public Participation and Response to Comments (PDF) (7 MB)
• Appendix F: Congestion Management Process (PDF) (26 MB)
• Appendix G: Pedestrian Facilities Toolbox (PDF) (1 MB)

Charting Our Course Regional Transportation Plan 2050 (2017)

Download the Report

Regional Transportation Plan 2050 Full Report without Appendix (PDF) (34 MB)

• Cover and Index (1 MB)
• Executive Summary (3 MB)
• Chapter I: Introduction (3 MB)
• Chapter II: National & Regional Trends (8 MB)

• Chapter III: Our Transportation System (11 MB)

• Chapter IV: Goals, Policies, and Performance Measures (2 MB)
• Chapter V: Needs Analysis and Recommendations (6 MB)
• Chapter VI: Financial Capacity Analysis (2 MB)
• Regional Transportation Plan 2050 Full Appendix (PDF) (216 MB)

• Appendix A: Project and Policy Recommendations (1 MB)
• Appendix B: Environmental Justice Analysis (8 MB)
• Appendix C: Environmental Analysis (21 MB)

• Appendix D: Map Book (88 MB)
• Appendix E: MPO Composition and History (10 MB)
• Appendix F: Pedestrian Facilities Toolbox (1 MB)

• Appendix G: Public Participation and Responses to Comments (84 MB)
• Appendix H: Travel Model Summary Statistics (3 MB)
• Appendix I: Performance Measures Report (22 MB)

Regional Transportation Plan 2050 Full Report with Full Appendix (PDF) (232 MB)

NOTE: Amendment No.1 to RTP 2050

An amendment to the Regional Transportation Plan 2050 to add a project on the Beltline (U.S. Highways 12/14/18/151) from Whitney Way to Interstate 39/90 to implement Dynamic Part-Time Shoulder Use was approved by Greater Madison MPO in December 2019. 

• Resolution approving the plan amendment.

• US 12 (Madison Beltline) Resurfacing Alternatives Project Website

NOTE: Amendment No. 2 to RTP 2050

An amendment to RTP 2050 to add the East-West Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project to the official, fiscally constrained plan, along with a Satellite Bus Garage project was approved by Greater Madison MPO in August 2020.

• Resolution with attachments approving Amendment No. 2 (PDF)

NOTE: Amendment No. 3 to RTP 2050

An amendment to RTP 2050 to add a WisDOT project to reconstruct U.S. Highway 51 between McFarland and Stoughton with intersection improvements and an expansion to 4 lanes on the west side of Stoughton was approved by Greater Madison MPO in March 2021.

• Resolution with attached map approving the plan amendment (PDF)

• USH 51 (McFarland to Stoughton) Project Website