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.

The Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments’ (ROCOG) draft Community Engagement Plan is available for public review and commentary from September 28 – October 28, 2026. The federally required CEP guides all ROCOG plans and programs to ensure everyone in the ROCOG planning area has the opportunity to participate in transportation planning efforts. ROCOG must adopt the CEP to receive federal transportation funding.

Public comments and questions may be submitted until October 28, 2026, by contacting ROCOG at planningweb@olmstedcounty.gov or 507-328-7100. Public input will also be taken at the ROCOG Policy Board’s regularly scheduled monthly meeting at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, in Conference Rooms 109 & 110, Public Works Service Center, 1188 50th St SE, Rochester, MN. Online public participation in this meeting is available via the Olmsted County meeting portal at www.olmstedcounty.primegov.com/public/portal

  • Plans and Policies

    Plans and Policies

    ROCOG, as a federally recognized Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), is required by federal legislation to undertake a number of planning activities. Explore ROCOG’s plans and policies, including the Metropolitan Transportation Plan 2050 (MTP 2050) and the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Click here to learn about these and other plans.

  • 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.

  • About ROCOG

    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.