Nashville - A comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan for the greater Nashville region is currently in development by the Nashville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).
The MPO is working with local governments, businesses, non-profit organizations, and the general public to prepare the plan, which will help establish bicycle and pedestrian transportation priorities for Davidson, Rutherford, Sumner, Wilson and Williamson counties, plus the cities of Spring Hill and Springfield.
A series of public meetings is scheduled next week to gather important input from area residents. Citizens interested in the development of bike lanes, greenways, and sidewalk improvements are encouraged to attend these meetings prepared to share their thoughts and ideas. A meeting is scheduled for each county in the MPO area as follows:
- Rutherford County: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23 at the Smyrna Town Centre; 100 Sam Ridley Parkway East, 37167.
- Williamson County: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23 at Franklin First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall; 143 5th Ave, 37064.
- Davidson County: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24 at East Park Community Center; 700 Woodland Street in Nashville, 37206.
- Wilson County: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26 at Lebanon City Hall; 200 Castle Heights Avenue North, 37087.
- Sumner County: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26 at Hendersonville Public Library; 140 Saundersville Road, 37075.
“These meetings will help the MPO understand each community’s existing walking and bicycling opportunities, additional areas that would benefit from bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and obstacles to non-motorized transportation,” said Leslie Meehan, project manager with the Nashville Area MPO.
Connecting existing bike lanes, greenways and sidewalks with new facilities, in addition to connecting other transportation modes such as transit stops, are all part of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan that will be developed over the next several months. When completed, the plan will become part of the 2035 Regional Transportation Plan that will set funding and project priorities in the region for the next several decades.
“Bicycle and pedestrian transportation facilities are important in any growing region,” Meehan added. “When you consider the congestion on area highways, taking a percentage of travelers off the road by creating safe routes for those who want to bicycle or walk to work, school, or on shopping trips is vital. More than 40 percent of car trips nationwide are two miles or less. Most people can bicycle two miles or walk one mile in 15-20 minutes. So, walking and bicycling can be convenient, healthy, and environmentally friendly all at the same time.”
Development of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan is being conducted by the MPO with assistance from RPM Transportation Consultants, LLC. Firms on RPM’s team are Hawkins Partners, Inc., Sprinkle Consulting, and Varallo Public Relations, LLC.
Additional information on the project can be found by logging on to the MPO Web site at www.nashvillempo.org.
The Nashville Area MPO is the regional planning organization federally established to carryout transportation planning within the greater Nashville region. The MPO’s policy board is comprised of local elected Mayors and County Executives which guide federal and state funded transportation projects such as roads, bridges, sidewalks and bikeways, and transit within the greater Nashville region.
RPM Transportation Consultants, LLC, provides traffic engineering and transportation planning services to a wide range of public, private and institutional clients. A recognized leader in bicycle and pedestrian planning design, RPM has established a reputation over the past 20 years for providing innovative solutions to non-motorized transportation projects. |
Email
Print
Facebook
StumbleUpon
Google
Yahoo!