Multimodal Transportation
The Delta Regional Authority is developing a multimodal transportation strategic plan for the region it serves. When Congress created the DRA in 2000, one of the investment priorities listed for the authority was the transportation infrastructure of the 240 counties and parishes in the region.
In February 2007, the authority released its plan for the Delta Development Highway System. The plan was developed following input from transportation executives and local organizations in the eight states served by the DRA. Public meetings were held throughout the region in the fall of 2006. The multimodal strategic plan will build on the work already done by the authority with public meetings again being held in eight states.
"The Delta Development Highway System plan represented the culmination of thousands of hours of work by those of us at the authority and some of the region's top transportation experts," says Pete Johnson, the DRA's federal co-chairman. "Now, we're putting in many hours of new work to complete the multimodal strategic plan."
During a planning retreat in February 2005, the DRA board voted to make transportation one of the authority's three major policy development areas along with health care and information technology. Shortly after that retreat, the authority contracted with a consortium of firms to assist with transportation planning. The consulting team for the Delta Development Highway System consisted of Wilbur Smith Associates, the Michael Baker Corp. and Neel-Schaffer Inc. Staff members from the Federal Highway Administration and the Appalachian Regional Commission provided additional assistance. The same consortium is now working on the multimodal strategic plan.
"We worked for more than a year to agree on the criteria and priorities for the Delta Development Highway System plan," Johnson says. "As was the case with the highway plan, the multimodal plan will be presented to the president and Congress when it's completed. A section of the most recent national highway act mandated a study of multimodal transportation assets and needs in the region. We're required to consult with local and state governments and then develop a report that determines priorities, costs, benefits and expected outcomes. Putting together a comprehensive strategic plan for such a large region will require a great deal of coordination."
Those wishing to participate in a survey of multimodal transportation assets in the region are encouraged to go to www.dramultimodal.com.
The multimodal strategic plan must be presented to the administration and Congress by July.