We need your help again. If you can make it out to the MPC at 110 E State Street tomorrow at 6pm, you can add the voice of cyclists to the long range transportation plan (LRTP) for Chatham County. This is a process required by federal law, and the session tomorrow night includes small group breakouts, with reports of each group. The more cyclists are there, the less we can be regarded as a fringe interest.
Some concepts we would like to see in the mix:
- Bicycle master plan: A suggestion of the Bicycle Friendly Communities program, we need a commitment to develop this at the MPC level, as an integrated project to evaluate both on road and greenways network for safe cycling access. Bridge access is lacking and hugely important. The plan must include targets and funding sources for infrastructure implementation from the MPO, the city and the county, though it should include descriptions for education and enforcement as well. The last time a bikeways plan was updated (2000), greenways and on-road bikeways were discussed separately, and only the report of the on-road bikeways was developed.
- Savannah to Tybee rail trail: We need funding to evaluate the old Savannah-Tybee rail corridor vs the US 80 corridor to establish a connection between Savannah and the islands. A study would allow local groups to begin the conversation with elected officials and possible donors/sponsors.
- Truman Linear Park Phase II: This is more a short term matter, and the county is committed to this project. We are awaiting final engineering from them and hopefully construction by the end of this year.
