Metropolitan Planning Enhancement Act

The act amends federal transportation planning statutes to increase transparency and accountability in how projects are chosen for metropolitan and statewide plans. It requires that each plan include a publicly available selection process that uses criteria aligned with national and state transportation goals. The criteria must be used to publicly rank projects, with the highest performing projects identified and prioritized. The act also mandates that any lower‑ranked project placed on a priority list be accompanied by a public explanation that justifies its inclusion, citing factors such as geographic balance and economic distress . The amendments apply to both the Department of Transportation (title 49) and the Department of Transportation and Development (title 23), covering metropolitan transportation planning , metropolitan tip lists, long‑range statewide plans , and statewide improvement programs . By codifying these requirements, the bill seeks to give the public clearer insight into how transportation investments are selected and to ensure that decisions reflect broader policy goals. The changes are intended to foster greater public trust and accountability in federal transportation planning.