Hello cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists!  You will be happy to hear that
great progress has been made towards the *final draft* of the "*Greater
Bozeman Area Transportation Plan Update*".  As you may already be aware,
over the past eighteen months this important document has been updated to
include a well balanced (*non-motorized*) approach to our local
transportation management.  We should be proud to live in such a progressive
community – and look forward to many years of successful improvements!

The time has come to weigh in on the final draft (*by Dec. 5th*), before it
goes to our elected officials for adoption.  *Adoption of this plan is
critical at both County & City levels.*  Public Hearings on this plan should
occur in January and will be a perfect opportunity to voice the importance
of safe communities and healthy transportation choices!  We NEED individuals
(and families) to share their remarks and advocate for adoption of this
plan, so we can ensure a quality future for everyone.  *Please read the
materials listed below and provide a short message of support to your local
elected officials **now!*  Stay tuned for public hearing dates and pass this
information on to others.

For City Commissioner e-mail addresses click
here<http://www.bozeman.net/bozeman/government/commission/yourCommissioner...>.
For County Commissioner e-mail addresses click
here<http://www.gallatin.mt.gov/Public_Documents/gallatincomt_commissioner...>
.

Some highlights of the plan include:

   - Fully re-written to integrate cyclists and  pedestrians in almost every
   aspect of transportation planning.
   - Engineering team included an Internationally recognized bike/ped
   consultant.
   - Extensive network of bike lanes and sidewalks are proposed (*along with
   ideas for funding/maintenance*).
   - Represents a shift in philosophy towards including cyclists and
   pedestrians on an equal stance with vehicles.

*Complete Streets*:

   - While the Transportation Plan calls for strong guidance towards
   accommodating all users, whether by vehicle or by person, it has room for
   progress.  To further our commitment to this philosophy, we need to call for
   the future adoption of a "*Complete Streets Policy*".  *Complete
Streets*use policy level methods to make sure that streets are safe
for motorists,
   transit, pedestrians, bicyclists, children, the elderly, people with
   disabilities, and all users.  It may seem simple, but regulations for
   enforcing the Transportation Plan will be critical for its success (e.g.*,
   all subdivisions must include sidewalks*).  Our elected officials must
   hear how safe streets are critical to the development of our valley and need
   to be put into policy.

Please take moment and look at a short summary of the Transportation
Plan (*including
links to the project website*) & Complete Streets at the following site:

http://gallatingrassrootsforum.googlepages.com/transportationplan

You can also learn more about the project and your opportunity for public
comment below:

__________________________________________

From: Scott Randall [mailto:sco...@RPA-HLN.COM]

Subject: Greater Bozeman Area Transportation Plan (2007 Update) -Public
Draft is now available!

We are pleased to announce that the "Public Draft" of the Transportation
Plan is now available for review.  The formal comment period on the Public
Draft will close at 5:00 PM on *Friday December 5th, 2008*.

*Formal comments must be submitted in writing and can be sent via e-mail to
sco...@rpa-hln.com or mailed to the following address: *

*Robert Peccia & Associates***

*Attn: Bozeman Transportation Plan*

*P.O. Box 5653*

*825 Custer Avenue*

*Helena, MT  59604*

*Your copy of the Public Draft can be downloaded from the "Project Info"
page on the project website.  The 4th project newsletter is also available
on the project website.*

www.rpa-hln.com/bozeman/bozemantransplan.htm

Hard copies and cd's are also available at the following locations:

*Gallatin County Courthouse*
*Gallatin County Planning Department (Room 108)*

311 West Main Street

City of Bozeman Planning & Engineering Department

20 E Olive Street

City Hall

*City of Bozeman Clerk*

Bozeman Public Library

Renne Library

MSU Campus

Thank you for your continued interest in this planning project!

Sincerely,

Scott Randall

Engineering Designer/Planner

Robert Peccia & Associates

(406) 447-5000