Gainesville-Hall MPO 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan Update Public Information Meeting June 29, 2006

Wilbur Smith Associates Gainesville-Hall MPO Purpose of Tonight’s Meeting Provide information on 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan Update Get your feedback and ideas Explain our next steps and how you can stay involved Wilbur Smith Associates Gainesville-Hall MPO

Why we are updating the Plan The MPO planning process requires that the Plan stay current Need to coordinate with ARC (Atlanta) Plan for air quality conformity review Need to comply with new federal planning requirements (SAFETEA-LU) Want to take a fresh look at area transportation needs Wilbur Smith Associates Gainesville-Hall MPO

Features of the 2035 Update Extend planning horizon additional 5 years Look at areas, projects and issues not currently covered in the LRTP Re-evaluate needs in the context of development and land use plan changes of the past few years

Wilbur Smith Associates Gainesville-Hall MPO Getting Your Input Tonight Big Picture Issues Specific Focus Areas

Wilbur Smith Associates Gainesville-Hall MPO Big Picture Issues What issues are most important to you: –Relieving congestion? widening existing roads, creating alternate routes, HOV lanes, intersection improvements –Providing transportation options? transit service, bicycle paths & sidewalks, express buses, commuter rail, carpooling –Coordinating land use and transportation? mixed land uses, live/ work, walkable communities, industry near truck routes, capacity for major retail areas, better neighborhood connectivity –Mitigating environmental impacts? environmentally sensitive areas, improvements sensitive to neighborhoods, attractive projects with quality urban design. –Other concerns?

Wilbur Smith Associates Gainesville-Hall MPO Focus Areas for Detailed Study Intersection improvements Interchange improvements Corridor improvements Accessibility issues Connectivity issues Other locations with concerns

Wilbur Smith Associates Gainesville-Hall MPO Next Steps LRTP Development Evaluate tonight’s meeting input Meet with MPO Committees Collect additional data Evaluate existing and future conditions –Travel demand model –Focus Area site visits Identify and evaluate improvement options

Wilbur Smith Associates Gainesville-Hall MPO Next Steps Public Participation Next public meeting - November 2006 –Report back on your input –Present potential improvements Overall Plan Focus Areas –Begin project prioritization process –Receive additional feedback Visit the GHMPO website for updates throughout the LRTP update process –

Wilbur Smith Associates Gainesville-Hall MPO Questions or Comments?

THANK YOU!