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For the most recent information on the following public meetings and others that may have been scheduled after TRANSReport went to press, go to www.bostonmpo.org or call (617) 973-7119. A photo ID is required to access most meeting sites.
Public Comment Sought on Plans for Transportation Project Spending and Studies
The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has released two planning documents for public review: the draft federal fiscal year (FFY) 201114 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the draft FFY 2011 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). The TIP is the MPO’s plan for investing federal transportation dollars over the next several years, and the UPWP describes the federally funded transportation planning studies to be conducted in the upcoming year.
The MPO invites comments regarding these documents until 5 PM on Tuesday, August 3. Subsequently, on August 19, the MPO’s Transportation Planning and Programming Committee is scheduled to vote to finalize the two plans. The MPO will also accept public comments at that meeting.
During the public comment period, the MPO will hold public workshops where members of the public can learn more about the documents and relay their comments to the MPO staff. (See the workshop schedules on page one.)
Both the TIP and UPWP draft documents are available on the MPO’s website, www.bostonmpo.org. They may also be obtained by contacting MPO staff: by mail at 10 Park Plaza, Suite 2150, Boston, MA 02116-3968; by voice at (617) 973-7100; by TTY at (617) 973-7089; by fax at (617) 973-8855; or by e-mail at publicinformation@ bostonmpo.org. Copies are free of charge and, upon request, will be made available in CD, print, and accessible formats. .
The State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) is a compilation of the Transportation Improvement Programs (TIPs) of the state’s MPOs. It lists projects that are scheduled to receive federal funding over the next several years. The public comment period for the draft federal fiscal years 201114 STIP is expected to begin in late July (the exact dates have not been finalized as of press time). Look for the latest information on the Boston Region MPO’s website, www.bostonmpo.org.
Boston Open House
Date: Thursday, July 15
Time: Midday Session Noon to 1:30 PM
Evening Session 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Place: State Transportation Building * Attendees must present a photo ID to
enter the State Transportation Building.
MPO Conference Room
Suite 2150
10 Park Plaza Boston
Natick Workshop
Date: Tuesday, July 20
Time: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Place: Morse Institute Library
Lebowitz Meeting Hall
14 East Central Street Natick
Burlington Workshop
Date: Wednesday, July 21
Time: 4:45 PM to 6:45 PM
Place: Burlington Public Library
First Floor
22 Sears Street Burlington
Notice of public meetings about the federal recertification of the Boston Region MPO will be announced soon on the MPO’s website, www.bostonmpo.org, and in other outreach materials. These activities are expected to occur the week of July 26.
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Boston Region MPO Action Items
The Transportation Planning and Programming Committee released three certification documents for public review in June: Amendment Five to the FFYs 201013 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), the draft FFYs 201114 TIP, and the draft FFY 2011 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). (See the article on page 1.) The Committee also approved an administrative modification to the FFY 2010 UPWP and approved the MPO’s Pedestrian Transportation Plan. MPO staff received approval to begin two work programs for collecting data to estimate transit ridership, which assists the MBTA with its submission of data to the National Transit Database.
Regional Transportation Advisory Council Update
The Advisory Council met on June 9 to discuss the MPO’s next
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP),
and Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) with MPO staff. Members learned about
the visions and policies for the next LRTP, “Paths to a Sustainable
Region,” and the staff recommendations for the federal fiscal years
(FFYs) 2011–14 TIP.
A presentation about the new GreenDOT policy of the Massachusetts Depart-ment
of Transportation is on the agenda of the Advisory Council’s July 14
meeting. Members will also discuss the draft FFYs 2011–14 TIP and draft
FFY 2011 UPWP. The Freight Committee will not meet in July.
Access Advisory Committee to the MBTA (AACT) Update
Michael Muehe, Executive Director and ADA Coordinator of the Cam-bridge Commission
for Per-sons with Disabilities, was the guest speaker at the June meeting.
He spoke about the City’s work to improve access for persons with disabilities.
The meeting on July 28 will feature presentations by the MBTA Systemwide Accessibility
Department on two transit-oriented- development projects, a new Orange Line
station at Assembly Square, and the rebuilding of Yawkey Station on the Framingham/
Worcester commuter rail line.
On July 26, the Americans with Disabilities Act 20th Anniversary Celebration will be held on the Boston Common. This event recognizes the progress made to achieve access and full inclusion for people with disabilities. Visit www.NewEngland ADA.org for more information.
Members of the Public Encouraged to Participate
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) are conducting a review of the planning process used by the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for financing transportation improvements and for conducting transportation-related studies in the region. They carry out these evaluations every four years in order to certify that MPOs are operating in compliance with federal regulation and guidance.
FHWA and FTA are encouraging members of the public who have participated in some aspect of the Boston Region MPO’s work— whether by being involved on an MPO committee or in an MPO study, attending MPO meetings or workshops, commenting on MPO plans or documents, or following MPO activities—to share their views about the MPO’s planning process. The federal review team will accept written comments on the Boston Region MPO’s planning process through August 13, 2010. Comments should be directed to the FHWA and FTA administrators, whose contact information is listed below. When commenting, please indicate the general nature of your involvement or acquaintance with the MPO.
Members of the public are also welcome to attend the on-site review, which will be held in conference rooms on the second floor of the State Transportation Building, at the times noted in the calendar section.
Public comments should be sent to:
Ms. Lucy Garliauskas
Division Administrator
Federal Highway Administration
55 Broadway, 10th Floor
Cambridge, MA 02142
E-mail: michael.chong@dot.gov
or
Ms. Mary Beth Mello
Deputy Regional Administrator
Federal Transit Administration
55 Broadway, Suite 920
Cambridge, MA 02142
E-mail: william.gordon@dot.gov
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Transportation providers in the Boston Region MPO area have a second opportunity this year to apply for funding from two federal programs—the Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) and the New Freedom Programs. JARC grants support transportation services that help welfare recipients and eligible low-income individuals travel to jobs and employment-related activities, while New Freedom grants support ser-vices that exceed the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act in assisting people with disabilities.
Applications must meet the requirements of the JARC or New Freedom program, and must be consistent with the MPO’s Coordinated Human-Services Transportation Plan, which can be found on the MPO’s website, www.boston mpo.org.
Completed applications must be received by the Boston Region MPO (at the address below) by August 20, 2010, at 4:00 PM. Prospective applicants who would like more information are invited to attend a workshop at the State Transportation Building on July 20. (See calendar for meeting details.)
Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization
State Transportation Building
10 Park Plaza, Suite 2150
Boston, MA 02116
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