New online survey gives Albany community a platform to express views on local transportation

ALBANY, Ga. – A new online survey is giving the Albany community a platform to express their views on local transportation.

Dougherty Area Regional Transportation Study (DARTS) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is gearing up for a major transportation upgrade. They’re updating their Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) to improve investment needs for all modes of transportation, including roads, biking, walking, and public transit.

This plan will tackle short and long term strategies for a better, more integrated transportation system.

We had the opportunity to speak with project manager, and the city of Albany Department of Planning and Development Services, Tanner Anderson, who shared insight into what inspired the survey and how it aims to address the community’s transportation concerns.

“The creation of the online survey was an effort by staff and consultants, metro analytics to make sure that the public has multiple ways to voice their opinion on transportation goals or priorities in the metropolitan area, which covers the city of Albany, Dougherty County, Lee County and the city of Leesburg. We will have in-person public open houses for the public to attend, but we wanted to go to the public directly and hear their concerns before these meetings took place. This document is key in the prioritization of federally and state funded transportation projects, and we want to make sure that everyone’s voice is heard, as this document is only updated every 5 years,” said Tanner Anderson, Project Manager, City of Albany Dept. of Planning and Development Services.

Anderson also disclosed that consultants, metro analytics are evaluating current infrastructure while utilizing numerous sources of data including 2020 census data, average daily traffic counts, Georgia’s Electronic Accident Report System (GEARS) in coordination with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to model the transportation system over the next 20 years.

Residents can stay informed about the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) by following the Dougherty Area Regional Transportation Study (DARTS) Facebook page or through the website at www.Dartsmpo.Org.

De’Andra Jacobs reporting.

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