How can we get more people in Valdosta and Lowndes County involved in planning for transportation projects and programs? What are the best ways to encourage residents to participate in planning for our communities’ future? The Valdosta-Lowndes Metropolitan Planning Organization is asking these questions as we update our Participation Plan. The draft document can be viewed online at www.sgrc.us/transportation and is available at local libraries and government offices through February 28, 2015.

As the federally-designated, regional transportation planning agency for portions of Berrien, Brooks, Lanier Counties, and all Lowndes County the VLMPO must outline its strategies for engaging the public in a participation plan as required by federal regulations.  The most recent version of this participation plan was adopted in 2011, and has been updated from time to time as federal and state laws have changed. This most recent update includes changes prompted by the federal Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21^st Century Act.

The VLMPO works with local communities, local stakeholders and the state Department of Transportation to plan for and program funding for transportation projects using federal-aid funds (primarily highway and public transit). Currently the MPO is undertaking an update of its 25-year horizon long range transportation plan that will look at the region’s transportation in 2040. This Participation Plan will be used to gather input from the public and engage stakeholders on the policies, projects and programs included in the upcoming 2040 Transportation Vision Plan.

Interested parties are encouraged to comment on the Participation Plan so that we can ensure broad community involvement and participation in this and other future transportation planning efforts. The VLMPO will respond to all comments received as a part of the record of the Participation Plan, prior to its anticipated adoption on March 4, 2015.

The Participation Plan will be available for public comment from January 15, 2015 through February 28, 2015.  The documents will be available for review at local government offices and local libraries as well as online at www.sgrc.us/transportation. The VLMPO will also host a public open house on Thursday, February 12, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.where staff will be available to meet with interested parties to discuss the Participation Plan or other transportation concerns.

If you have questions about this or other transportation planning efforts in the Valdosta-Lowndes County metropolitan area please contact Corey Hull at [email protected], or at 229-333-5277.