Inside NCTCOG: How North Texas Plans for 11 Million People

The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is the federally designated metropolitan planning organization for the Dallas–Fort Worth region. Its Regional Transportation Council (RTC) sets long-range transportation policy across 16 counties.

Mobility 2050

NCTCOG's long-range plan, Mobility 2050, identifies more than $200 billion in capital and operating investment across highways, transit, freight, aviation, and active transportation. It is the document that allocates federal IIJA dollars across the region.

What the RTC actually decides

• Project prioritization for federally funded highway and transit work.
• Air-quality conformity for the DFW non-attainment area.
• Coordination across TxDOT, DART, Trinity Metro, DCTA, and toll authorities.

Why it matters

Most regional debates — from highway construction to DART expansion — pass through the RTC. Understanding NCTCOG is the prerequisite for understanding why specific projects get built, and in what order.

KERA News regularly covers RTC decisions and remains one of the most accessible entry points for following the process.