Rachel Hatcher, transportation and land use planner for the Liberty Consolidated Planning Commission, hosted a public meeting Monday night to get input from the community about a long-range transportation plan that stretches far outside Hinesville’s city limits.
The plan, which incorporates Liberty and Long counties, is part of the HAMPO 2035 Sustainable Mobility Plan and is designed to combat transportation issues associated with driving, walking and bicycling.
Walthour Mayor Daisy Pray has attended public hearings on the matter and said there are many different people in her city who would greatly benefit from a reliable transportation system.
“It’s a major problem,” Pray said. “Anything we can do to improve transportation in the city and county is good.”
She said some of the groups in her area that are affected by the lack of transportation include the military and senior citizens who might have health problems that prevent them from driving.
“Military are often used to being in places with transportation,” she said. “If you don’t have a car, what can you do?”
Hatcher said she recognizes the need for reliable transportation beyond the city limits and is working hard on a plan to help.
On Monday, she presented drafts of the plan, which will include roads and sidewalks, to about a dozen area residents. However, in order to make the transit system as useful as possible, Hatcher said she needs help planning.
“We need your input on several things,” she said to the crowd while explaining the components of her plan, which will include developing a vision, analyzing current systems and conducting work sessions.
Hatcher also said the plan will be designed to work with other transit systems in the works for the city of Hinesville and surrounding counties.
Hatcher said she hopes to have a complete draft of the plan by July 2010 and a final plan by Oct. 19, 2010. There will be two more public meetings next year, tentatively slated for February and June.
There also are three forms currently online at www.thelcpc.org that allow residents to submit their opinions and concerns if they’re unable to attend any of the meetings.
The plan, which incorporates Liberty and Long counties, is part of the HAMPO 2035 Sustainable Mobility Plan and is designed to combat transportation issues associated with driving, walking and bicycling.
Walthour Mayor Daisy Pray has attended public hearings on the matter and said there are many different people in her city who would greatly benefit from a reliable transportation system.
“It’s a major problem,” Pray said. “Anything we can do to improve transportation in the city and county is good.”
She said some of the groups in her area that are affected by the lack of transportation include the military and senior citizens who might have health problems that prevent them from driving.
“Military are often used to being in places with transportation,” she said. “If you don’t have a car, what can you do?”
Hatcher said she recognizes the need for reliable transportation beyond the city limits and is working hard on a plan to help.
On Monday, she presented drafts of the plan, which will include roads and sidewalks, to about a dozen area residents. However, in order to make the transit system as useful as possible, Hatcher said she needs help planning.
“We need your input on several things,” she said to the crowd while explaining the components of her plan, which will include developing a vision, analyzing current systems and conducting work sessions.
Hatcher also said the plan will be designed to work with other transit systems in the works for the city of Hinesville and surrounding counties.
Hatcher said she hopes to have a complete draft of the plan by July 2010 and a final plan by Oct. 19, 2010. There will be two more public meetings next year, tentatively slated for February and June.
There also are three forms currently online at www.thelcpc.org that allow residents to submit their opinions and concerns if they’re unable to attend any of the meetings.