The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (Tri-County) is hosting a series of public forums on August 21, 23, 28, and 30 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at different locations throughout the region to hear from the public on transportation priorities. Feedback will be incorporated into our region’s long-range, 25-year vision for our transportation system, the 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), titled Moving Mid-Michigan.
Tri-County will be traveling throughout Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties to educate the public on the current condition of our region’s transportation system, potential future transportation projects, and how projects are funded. Tri-County is seeking input from the public about how they would want transportation dollars spent on improvements to the Greater Lansing area’s transportation amenities. These public forums are scheduled for:
Tuesday, August 21, 2018 Allen Neighborhood Center 1611 E Kalamazoo St, Lansing, MI 48912
Thursday, August 23, 2018 Briggs District Library 108 E Railroad St, St Johns, MI 48879
Tuesday, August 28, 2018 Delta Township District Library 5130 Davenport Dr, Lansing, MI 48917
Thursday, August 30, 2018 Mason City Hall 201 W Ash St, Mason, MI 48854
Tri-County is also kicking off their 2020-2023 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which is the short-range planning element of the MTP. The TIP identifies specific projects in the MTP and obligates federal funds to state and local projects over the next several years.
Approximately $5 billion will be invested into the operation and maintenance of the tri-county region’s transportation facilities and services over the next 25 years. With consideration to these funds, the MTP will identify programs and strategies that improve and maintain roads, enhance transit services, modernize transportation infrastructure, and increase citizen safety and connectivity; it will also analyze how developments in transportation impact our economy and the environment. Once finalized, the MTP will include all regionally significant transportation projects scheduled for completion through 2045, which makes many transportation improvement projects eligible to receive federal funds.
“With billions of dollars going into transportation improvements, the people living, working, and doing business in the region should have a say about what’s important,” said Jim Snell, Tri-County’s interim executive director. “This is an opportunity for the public to understand how transportation projects are identified, planned, and funded. It’s crucial to empower people with an educated voice so they can share their priorities for making Mid-Michigan a more efficient, reliable, accessible, and safer place to live.” Register for a forum at www.MovingMidMichigan.org/events. All are welcome to share comments by submitting a public comment form, filling out a survey, attending an event or meeting, or contacting Tri-County. Public participation is continuous throughout the development of the MTP and TIP with additional comment periods and public meetings as outlined in Tri-County’s Public Participation Plan. Tri-County anticipates the Plan’s approval in May 2019.
The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission is a public planning agency established in 1956, serving Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties in Mid-Michigan. Tri-County makes our region a more prosperous community by planning for a strong economy, reliable transportation, and sustainable infrastructure and natural resources. We connect local organizations and governments to funding, technical assistance, data resources, and opportunities to discuss trends and challenges affecting the Greater Lansing area. Learn more at www.mitcrpc.org.
SOURCE: PRESS RELEASE
