METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION

CONTACT INFORMATION

Located at Hattiesburg Train Depot/Hattiesburg Intermodal Facility, the office is open Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

308 Newman Street
Post Office Box 1898
Hattiesburg, MS 39403-1898
601-545-6259
mpo@hattiesburgms.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HattiesburgMPO

Staff
Calvin Russell, MPO Division Manager
Hema Gopalan, GIS Specialist
Grant Hobgood, GIS Technician
Addie West, MPO Administrative Assistant

AGENCY-RELATED LINKS

MDOT Planning Division – http://mdot.ms.gov/portal/planning.aspx

US DOT – https://www.transportation.gov/

City of Petal – https://www.cityofpetal.com/

Forrest County – https://forrestcountyms.us/

Lamar County – https://lamarcountyms.gov/ms/

MULTIPLAN 2045 – http://mstransportationplan2045.com/

PUBLIC NOTICES & RFPs

NOVEMBER 12 – PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN (PPP) AMENDMENT

In response to U.S. Department of Transportation recent guidance related to virtual public involvement in the planning process for Metropolitan Planning Organizations, the Hattiesburg-Petal-Forrest-Lamar Metropolitan Planning Organization (HPFL-MPO) will be amending the current Public Participation Plan (PPP).

Due to recent COVID-19 pandemic protocols such as social distancing requirements, in-person meetings have been limited in participants. An amendment to our PPP addresses the implementation of a new and safe electronic venue for public participation in HPFL-MPO public hearings that does not require social contact.

Please see page 11 under the Public Hearings section for the amendment information – PPP Amendment Draft

A virtual Public Hearing will be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at 5:00pm to provide the public with an opportunity to make comments on the proposed PPP amendment. This will be a VIRTUAL Public Hearing with access by computer, smart phone, or land line telephone. For instructions on how to join the virtual Public Hearing, please contact HPFL-MPO at (601) 554-1008 no later than 1:00 p.m. on December 1, 2020.

The official comment period will be held from November 16, 2020 – December 30, 2020. Please see the public notice for more detailed information.

PUBLIC NOTICE

OCTOBER 29 – REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Planners, engineers, and other related professionals familiar with transportation and transit planning practices are requested to submit a proposal to provide professional services for the development of a Transit Master Plan for the Hattiesburg Urbanized Area.

The goal of the Transit Master Plan is to create short-, mid- and long-range plans for Hub City Transit, which provide for an effective and efficient system, taking into consideration a variety of possible transit types, available resources, and a data-driven approach toward system improvement.

The intended outcome of this project is a planning document that considers the transportation demands and opportunities unique to the area, considers and applies transit options in addition to fixed route, and is immediately actionable.

The deadline for Bidders to submit written questions for information and/or clarification is 3:00 PM on Thursday, November 19, 2020.  All written questions received by this deadline will be answered in a written addendum.

The deadline for receipt of all submittals is 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, December 3, 2020.

The Request for Proposals application can be found on the MPO’s website at www.hattiesburgms.com/mpo, www.hubcitytransit.com, or by email to  aesters@hattiesburgms.com.  Questions and answers will be posted on these same websites.  Interested professionals should deliver six copies of proposals and one PDF version on a flash drive or CD by 10:00 a.m. on December 3, 2020 to:

Physical Address:

Office of the City Clerk
City of Hattiesburg
200 Forrest Street
Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39401

Mailing Address:

Office of the City Clerk
City of Hattiesburg
P.O. Box 1898
Hattiesburg, MS 39403

RFP – TRANSIT MASTER PLAN

Q&A ADDENDUM

OCTOBER 16 – NOTICE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

The Hattiesburg-Petal-Forrest-Lamar Metropolitan Planning Organization (HPFL-MPO) invites public review and comments on the HPFL Metropolitan Transportation Plan and MULTIPLAN 2045, the Statewide Long-Range Transportation Infrastructure Plan through the year 2045.

MULTIPLAN 2045 is a coordinated effort to develop MDOT’s statewide long-range transportation plan and the plans for the HPFL-MPO and other MPOs in the state. All plans are developed simultaneously for consistency. MULTIPLAN 2045 addresses our transportation needs over a 25-year horizon and is updated every five years. The public is encouraged to review MULTIPLAN 2045 and make official comments. All comments received during the comment period will be considered prior to plan adoption.

The proposed plan is located at www.mstransportationplan2045.com  as well as www.hattiesburgms.com/mpo and will be available there for official review and comment during from Oct. 16 – Nov. 30, 2020. A comment form is available here.

Two virtual public hearings will be available to provide the public with the opportunity to hear presentations and make live comments on the proposed MULTIPLAN 2045.

Tuesday, October 27 at 6 p.m.
Visit www.mstransportationplan2045.com using a smart phone or computer to join.
Statewide Public Notice

 

Monday, November 9 at 5 p.m.
Contact HPFL-MPO at 601.554.1008 by 1:00 p.m. on November 9th to gain access to this hearing.
Notice – LRTP Public Comment and Hearing

The HPFL-MPO 2045 MTP Executive Summary and Technical Reports  are available below.

HPFL-MPO MTP 2045 Main Report Draft

Technical Reports

Notice is hereby given that the Mayor and Council of the City of Hattiesburg, Mississippi will received sealed proposals/bids until 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 3, 2020 in the City Clerk’s Office in the City Hall of said City furnishing the City’s requirements of the following items for Hub City Transit, to-wit: Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) Transportation Services. Please see the attached documents for more information.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Q&A

 

The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) in coordination with the Hattiesburg-Petal-Forrest-Lamar Metropolitan Planning Organization (HPFL) are hosting a 45-day comment period to allow citizens to review and comment on its Draft Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and local Transportation Improvement Programs (TIP). The comment period will begin June 19, 2020 and end August 5, 2020.

PUBLIC NOTICE – MDOT & HPFL

HPFL-MPO 2021-2024 TIP DRAFT

Notice is hereby given that the regularly scheduled meetings of the Hattiesburg-Petal- Forrest-Lamar Metropolitan Planning Organization (HPFL-MPO) are being held as scheduled.  The Technical and Policy Committee meetings scheduled for April 8 and April 15, 2020 respectively, will convene as planned at the Train Depot Community Room, 308 Newman Street, Hattiesburg, MS at 10:00 a.m.

VIRTUAL MEETING OPTIONS

Notice is hereby given of upcoming Special-Called meetings of the Hattiesburg-Petal- Forrest-Lamar Metropolitan Planning Organization (HPFL-MPO) Technical Committee (TC) and Policy Committee (PC).  The TC will meet on May 11, 2020 and the PC will meet on May 15, 2020.  Both meetings will be held at the Train Depot Community Room, 308 Newman Street, Hattiesburg, MS at 10:00 a.m.  In light of new public health concerns, new meeting parameters have been established.  Visitors and members alike are encouraged to participate electronically.  No more than 10 individuals will be allowed entrance into the meeting. Social distancing guidelines will be imposed.

Individuals interested in attending the meeting are encouraged to do so electronically if at all possible. Please contact 601-545-4675 or mpo@hattiesburgms.com prior to the meeting date for instructions on accessing the meeting either by phone or by internet.

To ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), persons with disabilities that require aids or services to participate can contact the HPFL-MPO office at (601) 545-6259; or e-mail mpo@hattiesburgms.com to make arrangements.

Details for the meeting topic are included in the notice below.

MEETING NOTICE AND COMMENT OPPORTUNITY

MEETING AGENDA

The Metropolitan Planning Organization’s primary activities are transportation oriented. It provides the staff for the Hattiesburg-Petal-Forrest-Lamar Metropolitan Planning Organization (HPFL-MPO) and is responsible for the integrated planning of transportation systems in the cities of Hattiesburg and Petal, and parts of Lamar County and Forrest County. Using federal regulations and guidance, short and long-term transportation plans that meet community objectives are developed and implemented. A multi-modal planning approach is used to assure a vibrant and growing system of roads, rail lines, transit systems, and airports.

PURPOSE

Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) are regional transportation planning agencies, which provide a forum for cooperative decision-making concerning area-wide transportation issues. The MPO was created by federal and state law to develop transportation plans and programs which encourage and promote the implementation of transportation systems which embrace the various modes of transportation in a manner that will maximize the mobility of people and goods.

The federal legislation focuses on planning for urban areas, rather than individual cities. Every urbanized area with a population of more than 50,000 persons must have a designated Metropolitan Planning Organization for transportation to qualify for federal highway or transit assistance. All transportation projects should be supported and coordinated with the MPO’s long-range plans to be eligible for federal funds.

BACKGROUND

Mississippi Governor William Winter established the Hattiesburg-Petal-Forrest-Lamar Metropolitan Planning Organization in August 1982. The HPFL-MPO was established when the Hattiesburg central area reached a population status of 50,000 plus. The HPFL-MPO area consists of the City of Hattiesburg, the City of Petal, a portion of Forrest County and a portion of Lamar County.

The smallest of MPO’s in the State of Mississippi, representatives from the City of Hattiesburg, City of Petal, Forrest County and Lamar County, the Mississippi Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration are involved in the transportation planning process for the MPO. Their purpose is to provide effective leadership in the development of transportation plans and programs.

COMMITTEES

The Hattiesburg-Petal-Forrest-Lamar MPO Policy Committee is the primary committee responsible for developing policies and procedures to guide the transportation planning process for the Hattiesburg Urbanized Area (HUZA).

The board consists of the mayors from the City of Hattiesburg and Petal, presidents of the Forrest County and Lamar County Board of Supervisors, the executive director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation and the executive director of the MPO and the Federal Highway Administration (non-voting member).

The MPO staff and the Technical Committee assist HPFL-MPO Policy Committee with planning and recommendations. The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) supports the planning efforts of the HPFL-MPO, which is vital because of the diverse array of projects that can be funded in the HUZA.

MEETINGS

All HPFL-MPO Technical Committee meetings are scheduled for the 2nd Wednesday of each quarter. All HPFL-MPO Policy Committee meetings are scheduled for the 4th Wednesday of each quarter.  Committee meetings are held at 10am at the Hattiesburg Intermodal Facility at 308 Newman Street.

Public participating in the transportation process is encouraged. All meetings of the Policy and Technical Committees are open to the public. Members of the public may request time on the agenda of the HPFL-MPO committees to comment on specific subjects of interest to the representatives. A minimum of two weeks advance notice should be given for requested agenda time.

Technical Committee Scheduled Meetings, Agendas & Minutes

Policy Committee Scheduled Meetings, Agendas & Minutes

POLICY COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Toby Barker, Mayor
City of Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Proxy: Lamar Rutland
Ginger M. Lowery
Andrew Ellard 

Hal Marx, Mayor
City of Petal, Mississippi

Proxy: Steve Stringer
Amy Heath
John Weeks

Chris Bowen, Board of Supervisors-D5
Forrest County, Mississippi

Proxy: David Hogan-D1
Rodrick Woullard-D4
Burkett Ross-D3
Charles Marshall-D2

Steve Lampton, Board of Supervisors
Lamar County, Mississippi

Proxy: Michael Hershman
Don Walker

Kelly Castleberry, P.E.-District 6 Engineer
Mississippi Department of Transportation

Proxy: Evan Wright – Jackson, Mississippi
Sammy Holcomb
Perry Brown
Jeff Altman
David Seyfarth

Shundreka Givan
Federal Highway Administration
(Non-Voting Member) – Jackson, Mississippi

TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Andrew Ellard, HPFL-MPO Executive Director

Lamar Rutland, City of Hattiesburg

Hunter White, City of Hattiesburg

Jerald Little, City of Hattiesburg

Ginger M. Lowrey, City of Hattiesburg

Caroline Miles, City of Hattiesburg

Nick Williams, City of Hattiesburg

John Weeks, P.E., City of Petal

Amy Heath, City of Petal

Nick Connolly, P.E., Forrest County

Corey Proctor, Forrest County

John Weeks, Forrest County

Kyle Wallace, Forrest County

Mike Slade, Forrest County

Robert “Bob” Taylor, Forrest County

JeVaughn Osgood, Forrest County

Don Walker, P.E., Lamar County

Jason Lamb, Lamar County

Michael Hershman, Lamar County

Shundreka Givan, Federal Highway Administration

Kelly Castleberry, Mississippi Department of Transportation

Perry Brown, Mississippi Department of Transportation

Jeff Aultman, Mississippi Department of Transportation

David Seyfarth, MDOT District 6 LPA Coordinator

Evan Wright, Mississippi Department of Transportation

Sammy Holcomb, Mississippi Department of Transportation

April Fairley, Mississippi Department of Transportation

Geoffrey Crosby, P.E., Neel &Schaffer

Allison Beasley, Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District

Daniel Jayroe, Area Development Partnership

Dr. Robert Blevins, William Carey College

Dr. Rodney Bennett, University of Southern Mississippi

Thomas Heanue, Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport

Vincent Nelms, Hub City Transit

MASTER PLANS & DOCUMENTS