The Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is working this week with residents in its expanded metro area outside San Antonio to come up with a regional transportation and traffic safety plan for the next 25 years.
The MPO served only the local San Antonio area for more than 50 years, managing transportation funds that come through the gasoline tax. But after the last census, New Braunfels, Seguin and Boerne, as well as Comal and Guadalupe Counties became members of the MPO, which changed its name to the Alamo Area MPO and shifted its focus to include regional traffic needs.
The MPO is meeting with those residents in New Braunfels, Seguin and Boerne this week to get their input on specific areas of concern regarding traffic safety and congestion in their communities.
"Participants will be asked to identify locations on the map where they are suffering congestion. Maybe congestion in Seguin may not be as bad as congestion in downtown San Antonio, but if you're driving in it and it slows you down, then we need to find out where it is and see what can be done," said Scott Ericksen, spokesperson for the MPO.
Residents of each of the cities also will be asked to pinpoint specific spots of traffic safety concern, which can range from turn lanes and bike lanes to sidewalks. Ericksen said the MPO is bringing maps for work tables of around 10 people and lots of markers.
"We're going to show up with blank maps and we're going to talk about what the issues are. Then we're going to shut up and sit down and let people draw on the maps and tell us what they think," Ericksen said.
Officials will compile the citizen input to see how the issues can be addressed in the Mobility 2040 long-range plan for the metro area. Information about the meetings can be found at mobility2040.org.
- Seguin held its meeting Monday evening.
- New Braunfels residents will meet Tuesday evening in the New Braunfels Civic Center at 6 p.m.
- Boerne residents will meet Thursday evening at the Boerne Civic Center at 6 p.m.
