About The Master Transportation Plan

The Verde Valley Master Transportation Plan (VVMTP) is all about building a connected, well-planned transportation network that aligns with local land use and community goals. It’s about strategically planning for the future while also looking at what’s needed today. Since transportation needs are growing faster than available funding, the plan will focus on prioritizing improvements that make the biggest impact. That means identifying safety upgrades, improving planning processes, and finding cost-effective ways to maintain and expand roads. The goal? A system that works better for everyone – from residents and visitors to motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians and public transit users.

Why is the 2016 master transportation plan being updated?

  • To focus on a single region – the Verde Valley.
  • Evaluate existing regional road network deficiencies.
  • Update the Verde Valley Transportation Demand Model to predict future levels of service.
  • Assess shifts in commuter and visitor trip patterns.
  • Design safe streets based on the street’s users and functions.
  • Analyze regional multimodal trends of crashes and crash rates that involve fatalities and injuries.
  • Recognize the role and benefits of walkable and bikeable communities and active transportation systems, and their impact on economic development.

Project Timeline

Area Map

A Regional Partnership

It’s clear that the Verde Valley needs a single, unified plan to guide its transportation future. As things change quickly, having a shared vision will help the region stay ahead and make smarter decisions. Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG) and Yavapai County will partner with the following to update the plan:

Town of Camp Verde

Town of Clarkdale

City of Cottonwood

Town of Jerome

City of Sedona

Yavapai-Apache Nation

Yavapai County

Unincorporated communities are also represented. Yavapai County is the transportation infrastructure steward for these areas including places like:

  • Cornville
  • Village of Oak Creek (Big Park)
  • Verde Village
  • Lake Montezuma

Why is the 2016 master transportation plan being updated?

  • To focus on a single region – the Verde Valley.
  • Evaluate existing regional road network deficiencies.
  • Update the Verde Valley Transportation Demand Model to predict future levels of service.
  • Assess shifts in commuter and visitor trip patterns.
  • Design safe streets based on the street’s users and functions.
  • Analyze regional multimodal trends of crashes and crash rates that involve fatalities and injuries.
  • Recognize the role and benefits of walkable and bikeable communities and active transportation systems, and their impact on economic development.

Project Timeline

Area Map

A Regional Partnership

It’s clear that the Verde Valley needs a single, unified plan to guide its transportation future. As things change quickly, having a shared vision will help the region stay ahead and make smarter decisions. Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG) and Yavapai County will partner with the following to update the plan:

Town of Camp Verde

Town of Clarkdale

City of Cottonwood

Town of Jerome

City of Sedona

Yavapai-Apache Nation

Yavapai County

Unincorporated communities are also represented. Yavapai County is the transportation infrastructure steward for these areas including places like:

  • Cornville
  • Village of Oak Creek (Big Park)
  • Verde Village
  • Lake Montezuma

FAQs

What is a Master Transportation Plan?

A master transportation plan is a long-range strategic document that outlines a community’s vision and approach to developing and managing its transportation system over an extended period. The VVMTP looks ahead 25 to 30 years. A master transportation plan serves as a roadmap to guide investments and improvements for all modes of transportation, including roads and highways, public transit (buses, light rail), and bicycle and pedestrian facilities (bike lanes, sidewalks, trails). Key aspects of these plans include:

  • Conducting a comprehensive analysis of the current infrastructure.
  • Setting goals and objectives based on community input.
  • Identifying and prioritizing specific transportation projects and initiatives to address identified needs and achieve the outlined goals.
  • Establishing policies and guidelines to guide decision-making and prioritize transportation projects and investments.
  • Consideration of funding sources, including federal, state, and local revenue, to ensure the feasibility and sustainability of proposed improvements.
  • A Travel Demand Model (TDM) will be developed for the VVMTP to forecast future travel patterns and identify the infrastructure or policy changes needed to accommodate that demand effectively.
  • A Supplemental Safety Action Plan will also be created to guide the overall plan using data-driven strategies aimed at reducing traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries.
Who can participate? Who makes decisions?
We encourage all community members across the Verde Valley and visitors to the Verde Valley to provide input. We will record all public input from each engagement opportunity to ensure that decision-makers have a full understanding of public opinions when developing the plan. The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) includes key staff from NACOG, Yavapai County, the Yavapai-Apache Nation and associated local and state agencies to provide technical feedback and consistency with other planning initiatives throughout the planning process.

Ultimately, NACOG Regional Council will adopt the VVMTP. Stakeholders such as Yavapai County, Verde Valley Transportation Planning Organization (VVTPO), NACOG Transportation Technical Subcommittee (TSC) and various advisory committees will utilize the final plan as a guide for policy development and prioritization of planning and construction projects.

How is the plan adopted?
Following a detailed planning and engagement process, the NACOG Transportation Advisory Committee and Transportation Technical Sub-Committee will review and provide a formal recommendation for adoption of the VVMTP during their regular meetings and work sessions.

NACOG Regional Council, which is made up of elected officials from each community in the region, holds the final decision-making authority to adopt the plan. They will review and act on the VVMTP during their regular meetings and work sessions.

While NACOG facilitates and adopts the VVMTP, the planning, funding, and construction of individual or regional transportation projects identified in the plan are ultimately the responsibility of each municipality or agency(ies) with jurisdiction over those projects.

All VVMTP meetings and work sessions held before NACOG will be noticed on this website as well as through all standard NACOG public notification procedures.

How are project funding decisions made?
NACOG maintains a 5-year Transportation Investment Plan, known as the TIP. The TIP identifies how federal, state, regional, and local transportation funding will be invested in the NACOG region, which includes the entire Verde Valley area. Projects identified from planning documents and from local city, town, and/or county input can be considered for inclusion on the NACOG TIP. Additionally, many local transportation projects are funded directly through city, town, and/or county’s individual project programming and funding processes.

As part of the VVMTP, regional transportation needs will be evaluated and prioritized through the planning process, which includes technical analysis by the consultant team, input from the local jurisdictions, and feedback from the community.

How will this plan impact Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT)-maintained roadways like State Route 89A, State Route 179, State Route 260 or Interstate 17?
ADOT is the owner of state highways and interstate routes across Arizona and is responsible for maintaining these facilities. Local city, town and county staff coordinate transportation needs, enforcement responsibilities and ideas for improvements directly with ADOT. The VVMTP will include recommendations for transportation improvements on local, county, and state roadways alike.
Who is developing the VVMTP?
The Verde Valley Master Transportation Plan (VVMTP) is being developed by Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG), in partnership with Yavapai County and participating Verde Valley communities, and led by NACOG’s consultant AECOM Tech Corp, with Kittelson & Associates and The Barnhart Company as subconsultants. A team of transportation planning and engineering consultants is leading the technical work, with oversight and input from local jurisdictions, regional agencies, and community stakeholders.
How long will the planning process take?
The VVMTP planning process begin in 2025 and is expected to take approximately 18 to 24 months to complete. During this time, the team will conduct technical analyses, engage with the public and stakeholders, prioritize projects, and draft the final plan for review and adoption.
Will there be public meetings or workshops?
Yes, there are two rounds scheduled: one in the fall of 2025 and one in the spring of 2026. Please visit the Participate page for times, locations and recordings of previous meetings.
Will my input really influence the final recommendations/plan?
Yes, community input is very important to ensuring the plan reflects unique local needs and priorities. Feeback received during the public engagement process will help shape the vision, identify key issues, help prioritize projects, and guide the plan. All input will be documented and considered throughout the planning process.
Does the plan address traffic congestion and road improvements?
Yes, the VVMTP will assess current and future traffic conditions using a Travel Demand Model (TDM) that forecasts how people will travel in the future. The plan will identify congestion points and recommend roadway improvements to support safe and efficient travel.
What impact will the plan have on local neighborhoods and rural communities?
The VVMTP is designed to benefit the entire region. While the plan focuses on key roadways that connect communities, it will also help identify where improvements are needed to support safer, more reliable travel for everyone. Whether you’re driving, walking, biking, or taking public transit, the goal is to make it easier to get around the Verde Valley, no matter where you live.
Will the plan consider freight, transit, and ped/bike as part of the overall plan recommendations?
Yes, the VVMTP will take a multimodal approach by studying the current and future needs of:

  • Freight: Identifying critical freight corridors and safety challenges, and addressing truck movement and access.
  • Transit: Coordinating with transit providers to assess current services and explore opportunities for expansion or improvement.
  • Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure: Evaluating the safety, connectivity, and comfort of walking and biking networks, especially in key activity areas and school zones.
Is airport access or connectivity part of the plan?
The VVMTP will consider access to regional airports and their role in the broader transportation system.
How will the projects identified in the prioritized plan be funded?

Projects identified in the VVMTP may be considered for future funding through the NACOG Transportation Investment Plan, known as the TIP, or through each community’s own funding and capital improvement processes. The VVMTP helps guide these decisions by establishing regional priorities.

Is this a legally binding plan or a guiding document?
The VVMTP is a guiding document, not a legally binding one. It provides a strategic framework for regional transportation planning, coordination, and investment. While it doesn’t mandate action, it serves as an important tool to inform funding decisions, policy development, and project implementation at the local and regional levels.
Will my taxes increase to pay for the transportation improvements?
No, the VVMTP only recommends the types of transportation improvements needed across the region, but it does not determine how these projects will be funded. Instead, the plan serves as a guiding document that helps local governments and agencies identify their priorities and make informed decisions when seeking funding through federal, state, regional, or local sources. Any actual funding decisions are made by the appropriate local government, often through their own budgeting and planning process.