Senator Karen Spilka Hosts A Public Workshop On Long-Range Transportation Plan

 Senator Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) hosted a public workshop at the this morning with her constituents and residents of the MetroWest region.

The focus of the forum was to dicsuss the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP); Paths to a Sustainable Region and its effects on communities.

Senator Spilka introduced the group with words of thanks.

"I want to thank David Mohler, executive director of the office of transportation planning and Jeff Mueller for being willing to work to make changes to the structure of the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO)," Spilka said.

"The heart of MetroWest is rapidly growing" Spilka said. "And I am proud that you are helping to give our region a voice."

Mohler described The Long-Range Transportation Plan as a guide to the future of transportation in the Boston region. In the plan, the Boston MPO describes how the transportation network is currently serving its users and explores how it might be improved to better serve the region, considering the changes that are expected between now and 2035.

Mohler explained how among the most important decisions faced in planning for the future are those involving how to spend scarce funds to achieve the best transportation value for the dollar.

Ann Meghan, project manager of the unified planning document, addressed the MPO Visions for The Long-Range Transportation Plan. These include, preservation, modernization, and efficiency of the transportation system; mobility, safety and security, environmental justice, the environment, and emerging concerns about climate change and livability.

Guests shared their views and asked questions throughout the presentation.

Paul Yorkis, the town of Medway SWAP Representative said, " I look at the 495 corridor in a futuristic way, as it is a space for future mass transit."

"I would encourage that to happen or at least to start planning," he continued.

Meghan explained that the MPO is trying to address these issues by shaping the region's future transportation system through a set of policies, outlined by topic in, Paths To A Sustainable Region executive summary, available at www.bostonmpo.org.

Representatives from neighboring towns voiced concern about traffic jams by railroads in Ashland and the Rt.495-290 clog during rush hour.

Meghan described one of the areas of emphasis for this LRTP is to provide residents with convenient access via more transportation choices to the places we need to get to each day.

Residents can visit www.bostonmpo.org for more information about the MPO and to view the full LRTP.

People can also follow on Twitter (@BostonRegionMPO) or sign up for email updates by contacting publicinformation@bostonmpo.org.