July 15, 2005
For immediate release
For more information, contact:
Bonnie J. Prigge, (573) 265-2993
MRPC ADOPTS GOALS, OBJECTIVES
FOR REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN
Plan development to begin this fiscal year
ST. JAMES—The Meramec Regional Planning Commission—at the recommendation
of its
Transportation Advisory Committee—officially adopted goals and objectives
for a regional transportation
plan. The TAC—as well as MRPC—will now begin work on the plan, that
is expected to take
three years to complete.
The Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) is being developed in cooperation with
the Missouri
Department of Transportation. The document will not only assist MoDOT with state
transportation
decisions, but will also help cities and counties make better informed transportation
decisions. The
plan will include all modes of transportation and how different systems of transportation
work
together.
The goals of the plan—as well as the region’s transportation system—are:
• Provide safe, efficient and environmentally safe movement of goods, people
and services
through and around the Meramec Region.
• Develop a coordinated and comprehensive multimodal transportation system.
• Ensure the orderly development of the region’s cities and counties
and connectivity within
and outside the region.
• Support the economic growth of the region through transportation planning.
• Promote and encourage public involvement in local and statewide transportation
planning.
• Ensure adequate funding for local and statewide transportation.
In addition to goals and objectives, the RTP will include information on the
region’s population,
employment, existing transportation facilities, existing transportation management
and financing.
Needs will also be identified, and projects would be prioritized. Recommendations
will be made
on how to implement the plan. During Fiscal Year 2005-2006, which began July
1, MRPC staff—
working with the TAC and board—will focus on state highways, state bridges,
airports and waterways.
In Phase 2 during FY 2006-2007, off-system bridges, county roads and non-system
bridges,
public transit and railroads will be incorporated into the plan. In Phase 3
during FY 2007-2008, bike
and pedestrian facilities and city transportation information will be incorporated
into the RTP.
MODOT will provide MRPC with system management date and mapping information
on the
state’s system. All regional planning commissions in the state will be
developing a Regional Transportation
Plan under the same schedule.
“This plan will contain a tremendous amount of information and will also
be a resource
document,” explained Bonnie Prigge, MRPC assistant director. “ While
a lot of this information is
currently available, it is fragmented and not located in one place. That creates
the possibility that
some relevent information may be missed and not considered when making transportation
decisions.”
Prigge also pointed out that the development of the regional transportation
plan will give
citizens another opportunity to provide ideas and suggestions on existing needs
and future transportation
projects. “It will also allow transportation users a better opportunity
to see how transportation
decisions are made and why they are made.”
Prigge worked closely with Bill Stone of MoDOT and other regional planning commissions
around the state to prepare guidelines for developing the RTP so that all regional
plans across the
state would be consistent.
The plan will also include GIS data and maps, created by MRPC staff. “Theuse
of the GIS
technolig in this project will all MRPC to better analyzw how different transportation
systems work
together and the potential for more efficiency,” said Connie Willman, MRPC
planning and development
manager. “
In other business at its June 9 meeting, the MRPC:
• Approved a resolution in support of the efforts of the Viburnum Economic
Development
Area Committee (VEDAC) to develop an electric generation plant in the Viburnum
area. According
to Lance Mayfield of VEDAC, the area has the resources to support the endeavor:
distribution lines,
abundant water supply, flexible fuel sources including a large supply of green
fuel—wood, tires,
garbage as well as a skilled labor force, low population density, low tax base,
and a close proximity
to medical facilities and metro areas.
Mayfield said that the proposed power plant would provide a positive economic
impact and
is a proactive approach should existing lead mines in the area close, as some
have in the past.
• Approved contracts with Phelps County, Gasconade Valley Enterprise Zone,
Ozark Rivers
Solid Waste Management District, Meramec Regional Emergency Planning Committee,
Gasconade
County Industrial Development Authority and the Missouri Enterprise Business
Assistance Center
for the upcoming fiscal year.
• Approved Pulaski County’s request to join MRPC, pending the governor’s
approval.
Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford,
Dent, Gasconade,
Maries, Osage, Phelps and Washington counties and their respective cities. Officers
are Chairman
Gary Brown of Salem, Vice Chairman Bob Reed of Washington County, Secretary
Mary Heywood
of Bourbon and Treasurer Laura Cyr of Rolla.
A professional staff of 28, directed by the MRPC board, offers technical assistance
and
services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance,
transportation planning,
environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services
to member communities
upon request.
The MRPC board will meet Aug. 11 at its office at 4 Industrial Drive in St.
James. All meetings
are open to the public.