Transportation

Connected communities thrive. That’s why MDD is committed to building a transportation system that ensures fluid mobility across our region.

Expand Regional Transit Access: With integrated networks, place-based strategies, and innovative mobility pilots, we work to connect residents—urban and rural—to jobs, schools, and services within a 20-minute commute.
Adopt “Complete Streets” Policy: A regional approach to Complete Streets enhances safety, expands pedestrian and bike infrastructure, and better connects rural towns to civic and commercial hubs.
Enhance Freight & Logistics Infrastructure: By upgrading freight corridors and intermodal assets and supporting projects like America’s River Crossing, we strengthen the MidSouth’s position as a trade hub.

These efforts ensure that people, goods, and services move smoothly, helping our communities and economy grow together.

Rural Planning Organization

MDD serves as the administrator of the federally mandated Rural Planning Organization (RPO) for the counties of Fayette, Lauderdale and Tipton in accordance with federal regulations and oversight provided by the Tennessee Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, and Federal Transit Administration. The RPO fulfills federal transportation planning requirements to ensure TDOT, local governments, and transit agencies remain eligible for federal transportation grants aimed at improving area roadways and transit systems. Transportation planning in these three counties is particularly important in 2024 as they serve as the link between the City of Memphis and the $10B investment of Ford Motor Company in Stanton, TN (locally referred to as Blue Oval City).

Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) established the Rural Planning Organizations (RPOs) to enhance service and development of rural transportation projects across the state. MDD provides technical assistance to communities in three counties through the West Tennessee Rural Planning Organization (WTRPO).

Examples of work include:

Managing the RPO for Fayette, Lauderdale & Tipton counties.
County Wide Transportation Plans
Assist local governments in communications and inquires with TDOT
Prioritization of Regional Projects

WTRPO Board Voting Members

BARRY AKIN, Mayor, Atoka, TN (Chair)
MAURICE GAINES, Mayor, Lauderdale County, TN (Vice-Chair)
WT BAILEY, Finance Director, Tipton County
DWAYNE COLE, Mayor of Munford, Tipton County
WAYNE DOWDY, Highway Superintendent, Fayette County
CRAIG FITZHUGH, Mayor, Ripley, TN
RACHEL GREAR, Ec Dev Director, Lauderdale County
JAN HENSLEY, Mayor, Covington, TN
JEFF HUFFMAN, County Executive, Tipton County, TN

DEREK KISSELL, Highway Superintendent, Lauderdale County
RONNIE NEILL, Mayor, Somerville, TN
EUGENE PUGH, Mayor, Halls, TN
SHANNON REED, Highway Superintendent, Tipton County
QUENTON REED, Mayor of Henning, Lauderdale County
RHEA "SKIP" TAYLOR, Mayor, Fayette County, TN
KRISTOPHER TIMS, Mayor of Moscow, Fayette County