Councillors unanimously endorsed the plan, setting transport priorities for 2015-21, subject to the New Zealand Transport Agency's approval.
Cr Kempton said he would keep his ''fingers crossed'' the transport body did not change too much in the plan.
Cr Kempton was particularly impressed by input from the eight district councils in Otago and Southland.
They overcame ''traditional parochialism'' to consider the region's significant transport challenges, making suggestions for funded projects and what should get priority.
Cr Kempton is chairman of the ORC's transport committee, which worked with Environment Southland's transport committee. It was the first time the regional councils had worked together on a regional transport plan.
The plan includes a central city bus hub in Dunedin, bus ''super stops'' and integrated ticketing, costing up to $3.9 million, including a suggested $500,000 contribution from the Dunedin City Council.
The ORC last month identified Great King St between Moray Pl and St Andrew St as its preferred site for the bus hub.
Cycling is given priority, with initiatives such as continuing the State Highway 88 cycleway to Port Chalmers, widening Portobello Rd, and having protected cycle lanes on State Highway 1 through Dunedin.
The plan gave top priority to building a new two-lane bridge at Kawarau Falls, costing $16.3 million, immediately downstream of the existing bridge on an improved alignment.
Reducing tourist-driver crashes is the aim of a suite of safety improvements costing $8.36 million in Otago and Southland. Reducing road closures caused by flooding would see SH1 raised at both Maheno ($700,000) and Waikouaiti ($1.5 million).
At Maheno, about 300m would be raised by up to 500mm. More than $2.2 million would be spent on drainage work at the Hilderthorpe straight for the same purpose.
The Otago aspects of the plan attracted nearly 220 submissions from community groups and the public. Transport committee member Cr Graeme Bell said he wanted to see the regional planning approach applied to other areas of council business.
