"CMAQ" is a federal program begun in 1991 under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) and continued under the current transportation funding legislation, SAFETEA-LU.  The program’s purpose is to fund projects that help achieve compliance with the national air quality standards established under the Clean Air Act.  MUMPO’s planning area was designated as “nonattainment” for ozone by the Environmental Protection Agency in June 2005.  Any project proposed for CMAQ funding must be able to demonstrate that its implementation will contribute to a reduction in harmful emissions.

In 2004, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) for the first time permitted the state’s MPOs to decide which projects should receive funding under CMAQ.  In September 2005, MUMPO voted to endorse the following list of projects.  These projects cover all modes of travel and will result in projects being implemented across MUMPO’s planning area.

• CMAQ Projects Approved by the Board of Transportation