Transportation Plan Public Comment
Gallatin Grassroots Forum
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. For County Commissioner e-mail addresses click here.
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.
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