A Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is a federally mandated local planning body composed of elected and appointed officials representing local, state and federal governments or other agencies having an interest or responsibility in the local transportation system. The MPO is responsible for creating a Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and a Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). An MPO can be a regional, multicounty organization or a single county. The Williamsport Area Transportation Study (WATS) is the single county MPO covering Lycoming County.

Every five years, as required by federal law, the Lycoming County Department of Planning and Community Development updates the Williamsport Area Transportation Study MPO Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). The current LRTP was adopted December 17, 2018.

As the federally designated metropolitan planning organization for Lycoming County, the Lycoming County Planning Commission works with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, River Valley Transit, (RVT) and STEP Inc.to develop the Transportation Improvement Program, (TIP). The TIP is a list of priority transportation projects that are proposed to be undertaken during the next four federal fiscal years using various federal, state and local funding sources. These transportation projects include a full range of highways, bridges, public transit, bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) describes the transportation-related work activities that the Lycoming County Department of Planning and Community Development (PCD) and River Valley Transit (RVT) (with the aid of planning consultants, as necessary) will perform within Lycoming County. PCD and RVT staff jointly developed the work program. Within Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, the transportation planning process is conducted through the Williamsport Area Transportation Study (WATS). WATS was established in 1968. In Pennsylvania, UPWPs are developed as 2-year programs. However, this document is dynamic and may be modified to respond to any emerging priority issue or special need vital to the orderly growth and development of Lycoming County.

Public involvement in the transportation planning process is a right of all residents of Lycoming County. Federal law requires that all MPO's develop and use a documented participation plan that defines the process for providing reasonable opportunities for public participation in the transportation decision-making process. The Public Involvement website has infomation on how you can participate in the transportation planning process, WATS MPO staff contact information, and the Transportation Planning Calendar.

The Pennsylvania Local Technical Assistance Program(LTAP) was created to share transportation knowledge, improve road maintenance and safety skills, and put research and new technology into practice at the municipal level.

This is the first round of municipal owned structurally deficient bridges that will be repaired in a county-wide bridge bundling program. By bundling the bridge projects, multiple bridges can be designed and constructed concurrently rather than as single projects. It is anticipated that up to a 30% overall cost savings can be achieved along with a considerably shortened project duration using this innovative approach. The Lycoming County Board of Commissioners enacted a Fee for Local Use Ordinance as authorized under PA Act 89. As a result, PennDOT will collect an additional $5 for every non-exempt vehicle registered to an address in Lycoming County and these funds will be provided back to the county on a semi-annual basis. The Commissioners' intent is to use these funds to fix or replace the growing backlog of municipality-owned structurally deficient bridges located throughout the County. Other revenue sources provided through PA Act 13 dedicated to bridges will also be used to finance this program. This revenue will be used to pay the debt service on a PA Infrastructure Bank, (PIB) loan the county would seek with PennDOT approval. The loan will serve as up front financing to undertake the bridge repair program.

The purpose of this special study is to evaluate the overall land use and transportation system impacts resulting from the completion of the Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation Project on the growth areas of Lycoming County. Focus will be placed on the Interstate 180 corridor from the Lycoming/Northumberland County line to its connection with US 15 as well as the US 15 corridor between the Lycoming/Union County line and its connection with Interstate 180. As a result of this study an action plan will be developed to help ensure orderly land development patterns, smart growth and a safe and efficient multi-modal transportation system that is responsive to increased traffic demand.