ODOT Wants You to Join the Transportation Conversation

I saw this news release on Columbus Underground a couple of days ago and have been meaning to cross-post it here.

If you missed your opportunity to comment on the MORPC CapitalWays Regional Transportation Plan, you just got another chance to voice your opinions. ODOT wants to hear your ideas and opinions about passenger and freight transportation. See below:

ODOT invites all Ohioans to Join the “Transportation Conversation”
Industry experts and state leaders named to Ohio 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force

April 14, 2008 – Inviting all Ohioans to join in a first-of-its-kind “Transportation Conversation” to determine the type of transportation system the state needs for the future, the Ohio Department of Transportation officially launched the Ohio 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force by naming the diverse mix of industry experts and state leaders who will lead the historic endeavor.

Leading the task force will be Chairman Ty Marsh, president of the Columbus Chamber, Vice-Chair Frank Jackson, mayor of Cleveland, and Vice-Chair Deborah Lieberman, commissioner for Montgomery County. The statewide conversations will be led by individual steering committees centered on three key issues: promoting a multi-modal system, maximizing public investment, and generating economic development.

Supporting the effort will be a host of individuals and experts serving on working committees, with backgrounds ranging from business and industry, shipping and logistics, finance and development, urban planning and agriculture, education and health care, transportation, and state and local government.

In addition to gathering public input and information at a series of open meetings across the state, the task force is encouraging all Ohioans to join the conversation by submitting their ideas and opinions here.

The Ohio 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force will convene its inaugural meeting May 7 at ODOT’s Central Office in Columbus.

A final report from the Task Force is expected by this Fall. Through a consensus around these important issues, Ohio can have one voice on it transportation needs as we enter debate on the state’s next biennium budget and the authorization of a new federal transportation bill.