Rochester Olmsted Council of Governments (ROCOG)

The Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments (ROCOG) was established in November 1971 to provide comprehensive planning services to member local government units. It was organized to comply with the Federal Aid Highway Act, which requires that all urbanized areas with a population of more than 50,000 have an organization designated by the Governor of the state that is responsible for implementation and maintenance of a regional transportation planning program.

Public input sought for state and federal transportation projects

Public input sought for state and federal transportation projects

The Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments (ROCOG) has released a draft of the 2024-2027 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), for a 30-day public comment period. The TIP is a multi-year program of federally funded transportation improvements in the Rochester-Olmsted County metropolitan planning area.

Willow Creek Transportation Study Open House & Public Comment Opportunities

Willow Creek Transportation Study Open House & Public Comment Opportunities

The Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments (ROCOG) is initiating a transportation study of the Willow Creek area in the southern portion of the greater Rochester urban area to identify improvements needed to address existing safety and travel concerns, as well as plan for future needs stemming from anticipated growth and development in the area.

About ROCOG

About ROCOG

The Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments (ROCOG) was established in November 1971 to provide comprehensive planning services to member local government units. It was organized to comply with the Federal Aid Highway Act, which requires that all urbanized areas with a population of more than 50,000 have an organization designated by the Governor of the state that is responsible for implementation and maintenance of a regional transportation planning program.

Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a prioritized list of transportation projects proposed for implementation in the Rochester Olmsted Council of Governments (ROCOG) planning area over the next four years. ROCOG works with local units of government, along with state and federal transportation agencies to develop the TIP list of short-term transportation priorities for the planning area.

ROCOG Title VI Notice to the Public

Information is provided to the public regarding the recipient’s obligations under U.S. DOT Title VI regulations and members of the public apprised of the protections against discrimination afforded to them by Title VI.

ROCOG Title VI Notice to the Public

Information is provided to the public regarding the recipient’s obligations under U.S. DOT Title VI regulations and members of the public apprised of the protections against discrimination afforded to them by Title VI.

The Rochester Olmsted Council of Governments (ROCOG) operates its programs without regard to race, color, or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Any person who believes they have been aggrieved by an unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI has a right to file a formal complaint with ROCOG, MnDOT, or US DOT. Complainants are encouraged to submit complaints directly at: https://www.dot.state.mn.us/civilrights/nondiscrimination-complaint-form.html

Title VI Non-Discrimination and Limited English Proficiency Plan

Title VI Non-Discrimination and Limited English Proficiency Plan

As a sub-recipient of federal funds, ROCOG is subject to the requirements of Title VI and the associated laws and orders related to non-discrimination. Guidance on how to meet the intent of these statutes is provided through Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Circular FTA C 4702.1B issued in October, 2012. ROCOG staff has prepared the Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments (ROCOG) Title VI Non-Discrimination and Limited English Proficiency Plan consistent with the guidance of Circular C 4702.1B.

2045 Long Range Transportation Plan

2045 Long Range Transportation Plan

This ROCOG 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) represents another step in the ongoing evolution of regional planning for transportation in the Olmsted County area that began in 1971 with the creation of the Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments.

Unified Transportation Work Program

​ROCOG Annual Transportation Planning Work Program

Unified Transportation Work Program

​ROCOG Annual Transportation Planning Work Program

The ROCOG Transportation Planning Work Program (TPWP) provides a summary of planning activities proposed by the Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments for each Calendar Year and an overview of prospective work activities for the following calendar year.

ROCOG Public Involvement Policy (PIP)

ROCOG Public Involvement Policy (PIP)

To view the 2022 PIP, click the link below, or contact the Olmsted County Planning Department at  rocog@olmstedcounty.gov or 507 328-7100 or at 2122 Campus Drive SE, Suite 100 Rochester, MN 55904.

The PIP guides efforts to provide all interested parties the opportunity to take part in ROCOG's transportation planning process.

Minnesota MPO Directors Summer Workshop 2023

Minnesota MPO Directors Summer Workshop 2023

Every year, the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in Minnesota assemble for a workshop to exchange knowledge and ideas. Topics usually include federal and state funding programs, major construction and technology projects, and key planning efforts that look to the future. This year the MPO Directors Workshop was held both in-person and virtually in St. Cloud. 

The agenda and work shop activities can be found in following link:

https://www.dot.state.mn.us/planning/mpo/SummerWorkshop2023.pdf

For more information on Metropolitan Planning Organizations and general resources for MPOs, visit the Minnesota Department of Transportation website specific to Metropolitan Planning Organizations

Environmental Justice Report

Environmental Justice Report

Preparation of this document was financed in part by an FTA Consolidated Planning Grant as referenced in the ROCOG 2016-2017 Unified Transportation Planning Work Programs.

Rochester Designated a Bike Friendly & Walk Friendly Community

Rochester Designated a Bike Friendly & Walk Friendly Community

Active Transportation modes such as walking and cycling serve an important access and mobility role for individuals, serving both utilitarian and recreational needs on a stand-alone basis or as part of a multi-modal trip in combination with a primary vehicular or transit trip. Rochester’s efforts to improve conditions for walking and bicycling have been recognized by the national Walk Friendly Community program and the League of America Bicyclists.