Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Congress created Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) such as the NJTPA, to give local elected officials a stronger role in guiding federal transportation investment and to ensure that these decisions are based on a continuing, cooperative and comprehensive (“3C”) planning process.
Congress first required the creation of MPOs in urbanized areas in the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1962, but granted them little power. In 1991, the federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) greatly enhanced the authority of MPOs. ISTEA required MPO approval for allocating federal funding for many types of highway and transit projects (see MPO History publication).
Congress has continued to support planning by the 400 MPOs across the country in subsequent transportation reauthorization laws. The latest reauthorization is the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law on November 15, 2021. It succeeds Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, originally enacted in 2015. A separate webpage provides information and updates about funding opportunities available through the Act. The law expires on September 30, 2026 and must be reauthorized by Congress by that date.
Accessibility
The NJTPA conducts its work in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Electronic content that is made available to the public through the NJTPA website conforms to federal Section 508 standards, which enhance the ability of individuals with disabilities to access and use information. We also use the ReciteMe accessibility tool, which allows visitors to customize the appearance of our site, use a screen reader and offers written and spoke translations in various languages.
Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act
The NJTPA conducts its programs, services and activities in compliance with Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and other federal non-discrimination policies and statutes, as required as a recipient of federal funds. This policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. The NJTPA Board of Trustees adopted the Title VI Implementation Plan in September 2019 and updated it January 11, 2021.
The NJTPA is committed to serving the region’s diverse population. This work is detailed in the agency’s Public Engagement Plan. The NJTPA has also created a Demographics Resources website to provide data and guidance. This includes a Demographics Analysis Tool, which displays the spatial distribution populations who have been identified as protected under federal regulations.