SEDA-COG hosts open houses for upcoming plans

Lewisburg, PA — SEDA-COG is calling on residents for input before they begin planning a large transportation project.

SEDA-Council of Governments Metropolitan Planning Organization (SEDA-COG MPO) is inviting residents of Clinton, Columbia, Juniata, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union counties to participate in a series of public open houses scheduled throughout the region for the 2050 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) .

Attendees will have the opportunity to share their opinions, interests, and concerns about the region's transportation system with staff members from SEDA-COG MPO, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), and the plan's consultant team.

The Open House events will be at the following locations and times:

"The open house format provides an opportunity for the public to engage with SEDA-COG MPO staff and share their feedback on regional transportation needs and improvements directly with the project team," said Kim Wheeler, SEDA-COG executive director. "Those attending can stop by any time within the hour and a half window. There will be no formal presentations."

The LRTP establishes a long-term strategy for the region's multimodal transportation system and identifies current and future transportation needs based on system condition, demographics, economics, and land use trends. It is also used as a guide for the distribution of limited funding resources. The plan is currently in its first phase of data collection and analysis. During the plan's development, the SEDA-COG MPO will assess all modes of transportation, including walking, biking, driving, transit, and freight.

Public input received at these meetings will help drive the final plan recommendations and advance future transportation projects and initiatives aimed at improving safety and connectivity for the SEDA-COG MPO region.

SEDA-COG is leading plan development, in cooperation with PennDOT and technical consulting assistance from Michael Baker International. The plan is being guided by a steering committee consisting of representatives from the MPO's eight counties, PennDOT, and other regional transportation stakeholders.

"The plan seeks to support planning for all forms of transportation within the SEDA-COG MPO region," said Kristin McLaughlin, SEDA-COG project manager. "It will include both projects and policies that will improve our transportation system while making it safer, as well as more accessible and convenient."