The Southern Georgia Regional Commission is seeking public comments on the 2040 Transportation Vision Plan for the Valdosta-Lowndes County Metropolitan Planning Organization (VLMPO). This document, which outlines the vision for transportation investment in Valdosta, Lowndes County and surrounding areas for the next 25 years is available for public comment from July 7, 2015 through August 7, 2015.

The 2040 Transportation Vision Plan is a federally required document for metropolitan areas that outlines how federal funds will be spent on transportation projects in this region. The Plan is the follow-up to an intensive public input and planning phase that started in 2013 with the development of the Common Community Vision (CCV) for Greater Lowndes County. More than 800 statements from the public and existing plans were compiled to create the CCV which outlines how organizations in Valdosta and Lowndes County can achieve a resilient community that fosters economic success for the region through various elements including: workforce, education, economic development, healthcare, recreations, public safety, and transportation among others.

Another round of public input sessions was held in August and September 2014 where more than 100 people provided more than 150 ideas for transportation projects and programs throughout the region. The VLMPO staff, Citizen’s and Technical Committees have reviewed and compiled these comments into the 2040 Transportation Vision Plan. 

The Plan outlines the challenges the community faces as a growing metropolitan region with needs for roadway connectivity, transit, bike lanes and sidewalks and funding for maintaining the existing transportation system. Using the CCV goals, the Transportation Vision Plan outlines strategies in how transportation can improve access for education, healthcare and economic development. The Plan meets many federal guidelines and requirements, including being written in a way that makes it ‘performance-ready’. Proposed federal regulations will soon require that states and MPOs implement transportation plans that use performance measures to evaluate projects and programs over time to make sure our communities and taxpayers are getting a return on their infrastructure investments.

The 2040 Transportation Vision Plan identifies about $400 million dollars for new roadway capital projects, more than $580 million for roadway maintenance, more than $70 million available for a proposed urban transit system and $20 million for existing rural transit systems. Using federal, state and local revenue sources, more than $1 billion in transportation improvements are planned for the region 

Some highlights of the proposed roadway and bridge improvements proposed in the 2040 Transportation Vision Plan include: continuation of the reconstruction of the I-75 interchanges at Exits 2, 11, 18, 22, and 29; added lanes to Jerry Jones Dr., Oak Street Ext., Lake Park-Bellville Rd., Old Clyattville Rd., Old 41 North, and Country Club Dr. New roads to be constructed include extensions of Northside Dr. and Lankford Dr. Other projects include bridge replacements on Old Quitman Rd. and Howell Rd. and various intersection improvements throughout Valdosta and Lowndes County.

The Public Comment period is open from July 7, 2015 to August 7, 2015. To view the entire document along with supporting documentation and reports visit www.sgrc.us and click on ‘Transportation’. Comments will be accepted by email at [email protected], by fax at 229-333-5312., or by sending them to SGRC/VLMPO, 327 W. Savannah Ave., Valdosta, GA 31601. Members of the public will be able to look at the proposed plan and projects at three open houses to be held on July 15, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the South Georgia Regional Library; on July 22, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Southern Georgia Regional Commission; and on July 30, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at McMullen Southside Library.

Once comments are received and reviewed the VLMPO Policy Committee will consider the 2040 Transportation Vision Plan for adoption at their September 2, 105 meeting. All meetings of the VLMPO are open to the public. For more information about 2040 Transportation Vision Plan or other transportation planning initiatives in the region please contact Corey Hull at 229-333-5277.