Just because the AMATS offices are closed to the public due to the COVID-19 outbreak, doesn’t mean that our agency isn’t open for business. In fact, we want to hear from you about two items that are important to the Greater Akron area: the Draft Transportation Improvement Program for Fiscal Years 2021 Through 2024 (TIP) and an amendment to Transportation Outlook 2040.
These items are so important to the region that we’re hosting an online virtual meeting of our agency’s Citizens Involvement Committee (CIC) at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 7 on our Facebook page – AMATSPlanning. AMATS Director Curtis Baker says that the upcoming meeting will build on the success of the agency’s April 2 virtual meeting during which the Draft TIP was presented. (You may view this meeting in its entirety by clicking here.)
Why are these items important to the Greater Akron area?
The Draft TIP encompasses more than $993 million in highway, public transit, bike and pedestrian projects throughout the Greater Akron area. The program includes more than $642.7 million for highway projects, $338.7 million for public transit needs, and slightly less than $12 million for bike and pedestrian projects. These projects are scheduled to receive federal funds for fiscal years 2021 through 2024.
Transportation Outlook 2040 examines the current and future needs of the Greater Akron area’s transportation system and presents policy and project recommendations for the next 20 years. Projects must be consistent with this regional vision in order to receive federal funds. The proposed plan amendment concerns the addition of an auxiliary lane along State Route 8 to a major reconstruction project on Interstates 76 and 77 and SR 8. The project is sponsored by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). To view the project corridor, please click here.
The Draft TIP is available for public comment from now through Wednesday, April 29 on this web site and the AMATS Twitter and Facebook pages. We invite you to share your comments regarding our new program using our online TIP Comment Form. You may also submit comments via email to AMATS TIP Coordinator David Pulay at dpulay@akronohio.gov. (Please note that AMATS will not be accepting in-person public comments due to the COVID-19 outbreak.)
The proposed amendment to Transportation Outlook 2040 will be available for public comment until Thursday, May 7. You may view this amendment by clicking here.