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Join us for an informative session on transportation planning in Gainesville/Hall County as we discuss the current status of the Transportation Plan, its integration with the Comprehensive Plan, and the historical context of transportation developments. We'll explore key projects, community involvement, and future challenges in managing transportation growth and air quality. Learn about the role of the Gainesville/Hall County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and ongoing projects that aim to improve accessibility and connectivity in our region.
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GAINESVILLE HALL COUNTYComprehensive Plan Update Transportation & the Plan July 23, 2003
Tonight we will Discuss: • Transportation Planning • What is it? • How is it done? • Status of Transportation Plan • The role of Transportation in the Comprehensive Plan • Land use and transportation – how they relate?
Transportation Planning Gainesville/Hall County • 1963- G/HC Major Thoroughfare Plan • 1970- G/HC Transportation Plan • 1976 and 1988-Transportation Plan Updates • 1990-G/HC Transportation Study • 1997-Update of the G/HC Transportation Study • 2003 – Current update underway
Current Transportation Planning Activities • Suburban County Study • Gainesville/Hall County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) • Gainesville/Hall CountyComprehensive Plan
Suburban County Study • GDOT Project to provide transportation plans for 11 counties bordering Metro Atlanta • Help address future air quality issues • Public participation program • Create travel demand model • To be completed by mid-2004
Gainesville/Hall MPO • What is an MPO? • MPO Organization • Three C process • Establish MPO process and committees • Committee bylaws • Memorandum of Understanding with GDOT / ARC / GRTA • Create Initial Tools/Documents • Unified Planning Work Program • TIP / Needs Assessment / Travel demand model • Long Range Transportation Plan
Working Together • Comprehensive Plan • Policy direction to Transportation Plan • Data consistency • Transportation Plan • Transportation Element of Comprehensive Plan • Data consistency
Land Use/ Transportation • Interactive process • Population and employment forecasts • Current and future land use designations as traffic generators • Identifying options for accommodating growth
Any questions regarding the transportation planning process?
Key Aspects of Adopted Transportation Plan • Plan results include County and Cities • Gainesville is a regional activity center • Target forecast year: 2015 • Multi-modal Plan • Thoroughfare Plan • Bike/Ped Plan • Transit Plan • Rail Activities • Air Transportation
Status of Key Projects • GA 53/Dawsonville Highway widening • GA 369 (Brown’s Bridge) widening • Skelton Road Improvements/Memorial Park Drive Extension • Friendship/Thompson Mill widening • Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan • Transit enhancements • Commuter rail • Airport improvements
Any questions or comments regardingthe 1997 transportation plan?
Comp Plan-What Have We Heard? Five Consensus Planning Themes: • Quality Growth • Efficient Growth • Fiscally Sound Growth • Urban and Rural Growth • Coordinated Growth
What needs to be analyzed • Test transportation impacts from alternative land use scenarios • Transportation network • Quality of life – Level of service • Evaluate environmental impacts • Support for economic development • Anticipate future demand • Population/Employment • New development • Evaluate impacts of proposed policies
Choices…For Growth • Dispersed development pattern • Compact development pattern • Combination
What Does Air Quality Mean to the Plan? • Air Quality Options • TDM – Transportation Demand Management • Rideshare • Transit • Park / Ride Lots • HOV • Transportation Management Association
Fiscally Sound Growth • Transportation dollars are limited • Sources of transportation funding • Federal • State • Local
Transportation Funding (A History) • Hall County Last five years: $68.5 million • Road and Bridges (93.5%) • Turn lanes • Signing • Paving • Transit (1%) • Bicycle and Pedestrian (4.5%) • Historic Preservation (1%) • SPLOST
Transportation Funding • Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (2004-2006) • Hall County-$18,796,000 • Roads (93.6%) Transit (6.4%) • Challenges • Financial balancing • Low state gas tax • Increased dependence on local sources
STIP Projects (2004-06) • Widening GA 347 fm I-985 to GA 211 • $33.5 million • ROW underway/completion in long range • Widening US 129 fm GA 332 to GA 323 • $21.6 million • ROW by 2005/completion in long range • Access to Jobs (Transit Project) • $400,000 per year • Ongoing project
Transportation Cost • Cost of projects to construction cost more • NPDES standards • Environmental protections • ROW in urban settings • Project development to construction is typically 5 to 6 years
Insights/Issues • Hall’s fundamental characteristics • Gainesville-hub of road network • Intown traffic congestion • Possible solutions have been discussed • Limited cross county (east-west) connections • Bridges over lake • Cost • Environmental considerations
Insights/Issues • Growth will challenge current network • Current investments in transportation system will not keep pace with demand • Forecast growth will require additional investment in transportation
Choices • Land use and transportation can work together to maximize return on investment • Policy direction to encourage alternatives • Requires planning and commitment
Next Plan Forum • August 21 • 5:30 p.m. • GA Mountains Center • Utilities and Environmental Resources