City officials and members of the Bristol Tennessee/Virginia Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization will hold two public information meetings regarding the Regional Long-Range Transportation Plan Year 2040. This plan provides an overview of existing transportation systems, public transportation services, and proposed improvements, and also evaluates future transportation needs.
“Input from the public is extremely valuable as we evaluate this long-range plan because they are ultimately the ones who will use and benefit most from its implementation,” said Rex Montgomery, Transportation Planner for the City of Bristol, Tennessee. “The needs of our citizens are what direct the goals and objectives of this plan, so we want to be sure that their voice is heard,” he added. The primary goals outlined in the plan are system efficiency and asset management, economic development, healthy and sustainable communities, mobility options, and user safety and security.
The Metropolitan Planning Organization, or MPO, is the agency designated with facilitating regional transportation planning, and works with related agencies at the state and local level to provide transportation related information and analyses for the Bristol Tennessee/Virginia urban area. The Bristol MPO includes the Town of Abingdon, Virginia, the Cities of Bristol, Tennessee and Virginia, and areas of Sullivan County, Tennessee and Washington County, Virginia.
The two opportunities for the public to review the plan and share insight will be at an Open House on Monday, August 1, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. or at the MPO Executive Board meeting on Thursday, August 4, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. Both meetings will be held at the Ewell L. Easley Municipal Annex Building at 104 8th Street in Bristol, Tennessee. A copy of the Regional Long-Range Transportation Plan Year 2040 is available at www.bristoltn.org/136/Metropolitan-Planning-Organization or by contacting the MPO.
For more information, contact Rex Montgomery, Transportation Planner, at 423-989-5519 or email [email protected]