North Shenandoah News

County of Fredrick issued the following announcement on Nov. 23

The Winchester-Frederick County Metropolitan Planning Organization (WinFred MPO) has launched an online public survey to gain insight on residents’ perceptions of transportation needs in the greater Winchester area. The survey results will inform and guide decision makers as they prioritize transportation related projects for inclusion in the 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). The survey can be found at https://winfredmpo.org/project/mtp2045/ and will be available in both English and Spanish through January 31st.

Reviewed and updated every five years with the most current forecasts in population, employment, land use, travel, congestion and economic activity, the MTP defines long-range transportation needs for the City of Winchester, surrounding developed areas of Frederick County, and areas expected to become developed over the next 20 years; and proposes strategies for addressing those needs. Through the MTP, the MPO establishes its priorities for the investment of federal transportation dollars.

In addition to the survey, the MPO is planning a series of public meetings and focus groups through the winter. The 2045 MTP will be presented for Policy Board adoption during its regular meeting in May.

“Most of what we call ‘transportation infrastructure’ – streets, highways, bridges, and even transit buses, sidewalks and bike trails – is paid for with public funds,” says John Madera, the MPO’s principal planner. “The public has a voice in determining the shape of our transportation system - how it affects the character of our community, how safe it is, and whether it opens or blocks access to opportunity – for young and old, driver and non-driver. The MTP planning process offers one opportunity to be heard.”

WinFred MPO is a public forum created to give state and local elected officials and stakeholders a say, through an ongoing planning process, in how Federal transportation dollars are spent locally. Cities and adjacent urbanized areas having a population of 50,000 or greater must, by federal law, have an MPO as a condition for federal funding. WinFred MPO is governed by a Policy Board which meets monthly; and is managed by the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission. More information at https://winfredmpo.org.

Original source can be found here.