Citizens Complete Planning
Initiative
for Missouri's
Transportation Future
JEFFERSON CITY, MO. -
More than 100 Missouri citizens from across the state will assemble
in Columbia for the their final work session of the Missouri
Advance Planning ( MAP )
initiative, a statewide effort to update Missouri's long-range
transportation plan.
During the May 18 meeting,
scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Stoney Creek Inn, the
Regional Working Group members will finalize their ideas regarding
statewide transportation needs, trends and conditions, and improving
Missouri's transportation policies and strategies.
MoDOT Director Pete Rahn
will lead the group's discussion regarding the state's transportation
vision. The citizens will use an electronic polling application
to instantly tabulate the group's decisions.
"MoDOT has been working
to improve our transportation system. sooner, rather than later,"
said MoDOT Director Pete Rahn. "And while our efforts are improving
a substantial portion of the state's roads and accelerating several
needed major projects, it's no substitute for a sound, broadly
supported long-term plan for Missouri's transportation needs.
"We've asked these citizens
to help us shape the future of transportation in Missouri," Rahn
added. "We're asking them to tell us if we're headed in the
right direction to ensure our transportation infrastructure supports
the needs and quality of life Missourians expect and deserve.
We have significant unmet transportation needs, so the challenge
is to think big - what does Missouri need to be prosperous?"
Six Regional Working Groups
have met around the state during the last nine months. Group
members reflect Missouri's diverse interests and include farmers,
economic development experts, environmentalists, businessmen,
educators, tourism experts, community leaders and locally elected
officials, among others.
Others can also offer opinions
about Missouri's future transportation priorities and spending
state transportation dollars through a funding allocation game
found on the MoDOT Web site at www.modot.org
or the MAP Web site at www.MapOurFuture.com
. The game challenges players to take care of the state's
roads and bridges, as well as other modes of transportation that
include aviation, waterways, public transportation and rails.
It poses questions about freight, safety, technology, bicyclists
and pedestrians. The game summarizes players' results and tells
the player how he compares to others throughout the state. It
also shows players the current funding allocation MoDOT follows.
Interested persons with
questions about the meetings or comments about the MAP
initiative should contact MoDOT's district offices
at 1-888-ASK MODOT or the project manager, Eric Curtit, at (573)
751-6775, or eric.curtit@modot.mo.gov
. Regional Working Groups' membership lists and maps of
the regions, public comment opportunities and additional information
are available on the MAP Web site at
www.MapOurFuture.org .
