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Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG)

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Metropolitan Planning Organization for Merced County

 

Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG), the federally-designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Merced County, is located in the San Joaquin Valley. MCAG is the transportation planning agency responsible for developing and implementing the long-range regional transportation plan, known as the Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS).

The 2014 RTP/SCS projected that the region would, if implemented, achieve the 2020 GHG emissions reduction target, but would not achieve the 2035 GHG emissions reduction target.  Because the 2014 RTP/SCS would not achieve for the 2035 target, the plan would not qualify as an SCS under SB 375.  For this reason, MCAG initiated a reevaluation of the 2014 SCS, which resulted in an amendment to their SCS (Amended SCS), adopted in 2016. 

The Amended SCS prioritizes preservation of environmental and agricultural land and development in urban centers with connections to transportation corridors.  The land use strategy of the SCS focuses on efforts within local jurisdictions to increase connectivity and the mix of land uses that will help provide more housing choices for residents and decrease travel distances to destinations.  The Amended SCS also includes increased investments in public transportation projects, as well as non‑motorized transportation options that aim to meet the needs of residents.  Additionally, continued investment in vanpools and rideshare will continue to be an effective alternative to single occupant vehicle travel for some residents.

2014 RTP/SCS (Amended)