Regional transportation planners are working on a long range transportation plan that looks at the transportation needs for Staunton, Waynesboro, Stuarts Draft, Mount Sidney, Fishersville, Lyndhurst, Jolivue, Verona and the surrounding parts of Augusta County 25 years out.
That may seem like too far in the future for a clear vision, but transportation projects have a long queue, and this plan is where projects are born and prioritized for funding.
The plan looks at all types of surface transportation from driving on roadways, to cycling on greenways, walking on sidewalks, and rides on public transit, and your vision and experience in all these is crucial to prioritize transportation needs in the plan.
In your travels over the next day or so, think about whether the transportation options available to you in and around Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta meet your needs and whether you feel safe when you use them. Which roads can or should handle high densities of car traffic and which should remain low density? Where should roadside natural and cultural resources be prioritized? Where could there be bike lanes? Sidewalks? Multi-use trails? Where should public transportation routes go, and when? Where have you witnessed safety issues?
Then, before September 30, please take this Vision Survey and share your thoughts. If you’d like a preview of the survey and overview of the plan’s purpose and update timeline, you can watch this 30-minute webinar recording. Or, if you’d like to speak to a planner directly, find them at the Verona Farmers Market September 26 from 10am – 1pm.
Once planners have the survey input, they’ll compile a list of proposed projects for the public to vet.
In the meantime, we commend our regional transportation planners for prioritizing public input in this very formative plan for our region, and thank the Staunton, Augusta and Waynesboro community for making sure the plan includes local thoughts.
Top photo by Chris Anderson.