As a member of CRTPO, the regional transportation planning organization, Monroe has a say in which projects proceed in Mecklenburg, Iredell and western and central Union. CRTPO is a federally mandated metropolitan planning organization, and MPOs exist in every U.S. state. (North Carolina also has Rural Planning Organizations (RPOs) for similar transportation planning in non-urbanized areas, and an RPO covers eastern Union). As a result of this structure, the city of Monroe has a weighted vote in all transportation matters in Meck, Iredell and western-central Union, including I-77 South, just like Statesville, Huntersville, Pineville and Mint Hill, among all others cities and towns located within CRTPO's boundaries inside the three counties, had a vote when the Monroe Expressway, for example, was planned and delivered.