May 8 AMATS Citizen Involvement Committee meeting and May 15 AMATS Policy Committee meeting
Covered by Documenters Rick Bohan(see his notes here) and Nick Muffet(see his notes here)
Akron-area residents can expect significant transportation upgrades in the coming years following the approval of two major planning tools that will guide the work of the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (AMATS).
They include a new program, the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), that identifies all of the projects that receive federal funds over a four-year period, and a 25-year long-range strategy known as Transportation Outlook 2050 (TO2050), which is the official plan that details how Greater Akron’s transportation network will be managed, operated and improved.
Together, the TIP and TO2050 outline the future of mobility across Summit, Portage and northeastern Wayne counties — setting priorities for highways, public transit and active transportation (which includes biking and walking).
AMATS officials emphasize that these are not merely reports but key components of the region’s federally required transportation planning process.
TIP covers near-term Greater Akron transit projects
The TIP identifies specific infrastructure projects in the AMATS areas that are scheduled to receive federal funding from fiscal years 2026 through 2029. The approved program includes just less than $1.07 billion in investments: about $416.7 million for highway improvements, $526 million for public transit and $8.4 million for the expansion of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure.
Major projects include an $85.8 million upgrade to the Kenmore leg of I-76 in Akron, a $21.9 million widening of South Arlington Road in Green and a $6 million improvement to state Route 43 in Kent.
The Rubber City Heritage Trail’s Phase 3 in Akron will receive $2 million in 2029, while $820,000 is allocated for the Heartland Trail in Wayne County’s Chippewa Township in 2026.
TO2050 lays out long-term vision
The TO2050 plan identifies area transportation needs and recommends strategies through the year 2050. It calls for approximately $9.4 billion in investments, including:
- $6.9 billion for highways
- $2.5 billion for transit
- $35 million for active transportation infrastructure, which includes walking trails and bike lanes.
- 47 highway project recommendations
- 24 active transportation initiatives, including new trail segments and improvements for pedestrians.
In addition to infrastructure priorities, TO2050 emphasizes the integration of public transit planning with land use decisions — encouraging a holistic approach to regional growth and accessibility.
Focus on preservation and fiscal responsibility
According to AMATS Planning Administrator Matt Stewart, both the TIP and TO2050 were shaped through extensive public engagement and emphasize preserving existing infrastructure over new expansion. “The longer that large preservation projects are delayed, the more expensive they become,” Stewart said an AMATS meeting last month. “The agency believes that preservation is a fiscally prudent course for the region.”
Federal funding tied to Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act through 2026
Project funding will include remaining allocations under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the $1.2 trillion federal law enacted in 2021 that supports transportation and infrastructure projects nationwide through fiscal year 2026.
AMATS Public Information Coordinator Kerry Prater said funding beyond 2026 will depend on the next federal transportation funding law. “As with any legislation, it will undoubtedly reflect the priorities of an incumbent administration,” Prater said.
Learn more about Greater Akron’s transit plans
More information about the TIP, TO2050 and regional transportation planning is available at amatsplanning.org.
