The Jonesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization is working on a 25 year transportation plan. The plan would involve road and transit projects that would be eligible for federal funding through 2040. Director of the M-P-O is Erica Tait.
“We are in the process of updating our long-term plan. The last one was completed in 2011. This plan goes out to 204. The vital part of the process is public involvement. We want to make sure the public has an opportunity to comment on this as we take a look at the transportation needs in the area. ”
Tait says a list of 55 projects have been categorized into short-term projects and long-term needs. The plan would involve the transportation needs for the cities of Bay, Bono, Brookland and much of Craighead County. Tait tells KASU news the plan in constantly evolving, and public comments are an important part of the process.
“In 2012, census data was being updated and community surveys were being mailed out. The MPO sent out another community survey in 2014 to see what the community’s thoughts are about transportation in the region. This would include roadways, bikeways, transit, and other needs.”
Tait says the different projects that are being considered could be eligible for federal funding during the duration of the plan. The projects are categorized from short-term goals to long-term needs. She tells how the projects could be funded:
“Most of the projects are being funded through a portion of federal money. That federal money requires a local match. The local match is generally cash, but it could also be land value, depending on the project. For the most part, it has a federal component—usually at 80% or 90% and there is also the local component.”
A public forum will take place tomorrow night from 5-7 at the Craighead County-Jonesboro Public Library in the Round Room. Public comments on the plan are being taken through January 8th. The Jonesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Technical Advisory Committee will meet on January 14th and the Policy Committee will meet on the 19th to review the plan. You can view the plan here.
