MPOs don't always represent local cities fairly likewise with smaller cities. EPA needs to be involved early on. Get the environmental people involved early on. At the very front of the project, we need the right people at the table. We need to be looking at integration with land use decisions early on.
Land use is driven by property taxes.
It Should not be possible to have major investments with big surprises two or three years into the process. Bring up issues on the front end. Rulemaking needs to allow local governments to participate in decision making on how to spend federal money in the areas where locals have flexibility i.e. STP, CMAQ, Enhancements, TCSP, etc.