U.S. DOT Wants Your Take on the Baltimore Region's Transportation Planning Process
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) wants to know how well the Baltimore region conducts its transportation planning process. If you're interested in how transportation investment decisions are made in the Baltimore region, you should plan to attend a public hearing with the U.S. DOT on Tuesday, June 24th. The meeting, which is part of the quadrennial federal certification process of the Baltimore region's metropolitan planning organization (MPO), will take place from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. at 2700 Lighthouse Point East (2700 block of Boston Street), Suite 310, in the Canton area of southeast Baltimore City.As the local MPO, the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) is responsible for several key products as part of a continuing, comprehensive and coordinated (3-C) process. These products include a long-range transportation plan, a short-range program or implementation plan, an annual work program, air quality assessments, and a congestion management process. The BRTB undertakes this work in coordination with state agencies and other partners. An important part of the planning process is providing for public participation.
The meeting on June 24th will not address specific projects, but the overall transportation planning process. The U.S. DOT (Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration) is interested in knowing:
* Are you provided with the opportunity to participate in the transportation planning and programming process?
* Do you receive information about transportation issues early enough in the process so staff and the MPO can utilize your suggestions or recommendations?
* Do you have reasonable access to the technical and policy information that is used to develop the Long Range Transportation Plan and Transportation Improvement Plan?
* Do you receive adequate notice of transportation planning and programming activities?
* Do you have adequate time to comment on key decision points in the process?
* Do you feel your comments are taken into consideration by staff and the MPO?
* What are the positive aspects of the transportation planning process?
* What suggestions do you have for improving the process? The BRTB will make accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Please contact Monica Haines at 410-732-0500 x1047 by June 17. Hearing impaired individuals may also request assistance through the Maryland State Relay Service at (TTY/TDD) 1-800-735-2258.
If you cannot attend the meeting, you may submit written comments to Monica Haines at 2700 Lighthouse Point East, Suite 310, Baltimore, MD 21224; by fax to 410-732-6522; or by e-mail to comments@baltometro.org. Written comments must be received no later than July 9. Comments may also be submitted using an online comment form at <a href="http://www.baltometro.org">www.baltometro.org</a>;.
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