The Bismarck-Mandan Metropolitan Planning Organization kicked off their 2015-2040 Long Range Transportation Plan ‘Envision2040’ at the City Commission meeting October 8th. The Bismarck-Mandan Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) is a community-driven process that establishes a vision for mobility in Bismarck, Mandan, Lincoln and portions of Burleigh and Morton Counties. The LRTP identifies multi-modal transportation goals, needs, investment priorities, and an implementation plan for the future transportation system. This includes the street and road network, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, transit (CAT bus), and freight movement. The overall goal of the LRTP is to improve multi-modal mobility, accessibility and safety for people and freight.
Purpose of Long Range Transportation Plan:
• Engage community members to understand their transportation concerns, to identify opportunities for improved regional travel, and establish a collective community vision for the Bismarck-Mandan transportation system.• Evaluate current and long-term mobility and safety performance and identify issue locations. The mobility needs and opportunities of all modes of travel will be addressed, including personal vehicle, bus / transit, bicycle and pedestrian mobility.
• Develop and test a range of improvement strategies, programs and projects that can address identified issues. Provide a prioritized, implementation plan for transportation investments through 2040 that is realistic, while reflecting the values of the community.• Identify funding options to address the anticipated gap between traditional funding levels and the identified transportation system needs.
The LRTP brand, Envision2040, is aimed at generating conversation and ideas to create a better transportation system for our future. The Metropolitan Planning Organization is requesting your input, potential projects, and ideas to plan for the future to improve our transportation system.
How to get involved!
• Visit the project website at http://www.envisionbisman2040.com/. The website includes information about the plan, opportunities to get involved, interactive comment mapping tool, comment form, frequently asked questions and contact information.
Visit information and input kiosks located around the Bismarck-Mandan area at the following locations:
• Department of Motor Vehicles (608 E Boulevard Ave)• Mandan Senior Center (301 15th Street NW)
• Mandan Public Library (108 1st Street NW)• Bismarck Senior Center (315 N 20th Street)
• Downtown Bismarck (216 North 4th Street)
Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter! Envision2040 is ramping up social media platforms to answer questions, provide information and gather input that will be included in the 2015-2040 Long Range Transportation Plan. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter
Participate in the community phone survey, if selected. The Metropolitan Planning Organization will be reaching out to 400 households in the Bismarck, Mandan, Lincoln area and portions of Burleigh and Morton Counties to ask people’s opinions on current transportation issues.
Attend an open house meeting in early winter 2014. The Metropolitan Planning Organization will host two open house meetings, one on each side of the river in both Bismarck and Mandan, to provide information, answer questions and gather input. Watch for more information regarding dates, times, and locations!
The Metropolitan Planning Organization expects that the draft LRTP will be published in 2014 for public review and comment, and that the final LRTP published by the end of 2014.