Community members are invited to help determine the region’s transportation needs and funding priorities for the next 25 years by participating in a short survey that is now available online.
The Bristol Tennessee-Virginia Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) will use the information collected between now and June 15 to develop a long-range transportation plan that will guide decisions through the year 2045. The plan covers the entire MPO, a federally designated area that includes the City of Bristol and Sullivan County in Tennessee and the City of Bristol, Town of Abingdon, and Washington County in Virginia.
“A major responsibility of the MPO is to develop and maintain a long-range plan that considers the future transportation needs of the region and how state and federal transportation funds should be allocated,” said Transportation Planning Manager Rex Montgomery. “We revisit the plan and update it every five years after gathering additional input from the public and considering the current priorities of our region.”
The plan covers roads, pedestrian walkways, biking trails, and public transportation, Montgomery said.
Projects that have been developed through the MPO planning process include:
- The Virginia Avenue sidewalk project and East Cedar Street improvement project now underway in Bristol, Tenn.
- The Lee Highway widening project and development of the multi-use path in Bristol, Va.
- Interstate 81’s Exit 14 reconstruction project in Abingdon, Va.
- Interstate 81’s Exit 69 ramp modifications and signalization in Blountville, Tenn.
- Providence Road relocation in Washington County, Va.
- Vehicle replacements for local transit agencies.
The survey includes a short introduction and four questions that can be completed in about three minutes. Information collected will be compiled into a draft plan that will be distributed in August. The public will have an opportunity to provide additional input on the draft plan before it is finalized, Montgomery said.
To access the survey, please go to www.bristoltn.org/MPOsurvey. For additional information, please contact Montgomery at [email protected] or (423) 989-5519.
