Public Offers Input on Roads

Representatives of HNTB, a consulting firm for the Department of Transportation and DOT representatives met with Jasper County citizens, including some elected officials, about the East Metro Multi-County Transportation Study Monday night at the Visitor’s Center.

This was the first public workshop in Jasper County, after a four-county task force was formed. There is a local committee that is working with the representatives, and some members of that committee were present.

County Manager Greg Williams opened the meeting saying that 18 months ago the DOT realized that there were a lot of plans that were sitting on a shelf, so to speak, and officials wanted to determine if the projects were still viable.
HNTB was hired to do the study and the County Commissioners named an advisory group.

Garth Lynch of HNTB made a power point presentation showing how the group is trying to set transportation priorities. He said they are looking at transportation deficiencies, capacity issues, safety issues, and alignment issues.

The officials present heard from numerous persons about the important of continuing the bypass around Monticello, trying to get tractor-trailer trucks off the Square.

Numerous maps were displayed showing different data, and the one getting the most attention was the one saying that construction of the perimeter road project is not planned until 2012.

Vonda Everett with the DOT clarified that saying that the environmental and engineering are still listed for 2007. She said that several projects were recently shifted, and they could be shifted again at any time.