PUBLIC LAW 102-240—DEC. 18, 1991 105 STAT. 2103 "(6) NOTICE AND COMMENT. —Before approving a transportation improvement program, a metropolitan planning organization shall provide citizens, affected public agencies, representatives of transportation agency employees, private providers of transportation, and other interested parties with reasonable notice of and an opportunity to comment on the proposed program. ' (i) TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT AREAS.— "(1) DESIGNATION.—The Secretary shall designate as transportation management areas all urbanized areas over 200,000 population. The Secretary shall designate any additional area as a transportation management area upon the request of the Governor and the metropolitan planning organization designated for such area or the affected local officials. Such additional areas shall include upon such a request the Lake Tahoe Basin as defined by Public Law 96-551. "(2) TRANSPORTATION PLANS AND PROGRAMS.—Within a transportation management area, transportation plans and programs shall be based on a continuing and comprehensive transportation planning process carried out by the metropolitan planning organization in cooperation with the State and transit operators. "(3) CONGESTION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.—Within a transportation management area, the transportation planning process under this section shall include a congestion management system that provides for effective management of new and existing transportation facilities eligible for funding under this title and the Federal Transit Act through the use of travel demand reduction and operational management strategies. The Secretary shall establish an appropriate phase-in schedule for compliance with the requirements of this section. "(4) SELECTION OF PROJECTS. — Al l projects carried out within the boundaries of a transportation management area with Federal participation pursuant to this title (excluding projects undertaken on the National Highway System and pursuant to the Bridge and Interstate Maintenance programs) or pursuant to the Federal Transit Act shall be selected by the metropolitan planning organization designated for such area in consultation with the State and in conformance with the transportation improvement program for such area and priorities established therein. Projects undertaken within the boundaries of a transportation management area on the National Highway System or pursuant to the Bridge and Interstate Maintenance programs shall be selected by the State in cooperation with the metropolitan planning organization designated for such area and shall be in conformance with the transportation improvement program for such area. "(5) CERTIFICATION. — The Secretary shall assure that each metropolitan planning organization in each transportation management area is carrying out its responsibilities under applicable provisions of Federal law, and shall so certify at least once every 3 years. The Secretary may make such certification only if (1) a metropolitan planning organization is complying with the requirements of section 134 and other applicable requirements of Federal law, and (2) there is a transportation improvement program for the area that has been approved by the metropolitan planning organization and the Governor. If
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