Envision 2050 Kick Off a The Long Range Regional Transportation Plan
Northern Middlesex Council of Governments (NMCOG) staff is embarking on an update to the Northern Middlesex Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (NMMPO) Long-Range Regional Transportation Plan called Envision 2050. Our first public event will take place at UTEC Lowell. This event is a hybrid event open to the public. Over the next year, NMCOG staff will work directly with the constituents and town staff of Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Dunstable, Lowell, Pepperell, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough, and Westford. Through a comprehensive evaluation of transportation services and community engagement, NMCOG will publish a report for the public. This report will culminate key recommendations identified during this year-long planning process. The purpose of this effort is to help propel regional transportation goals.
We ask interested parties to think about ways to improve transportation systems by evaluating their trip types, key destinations, and availability of transit modes. When asked for her thoughts on the Envision 2050 effort, Pat Wojtas, Chelmsford Select Board and NMMPO member said, “Every member community in the Northern Middlesex region will benefit from this work. Transportation options and opportunities can have a major impact on quality of life, as well as promoting economic development. I have seen how projects, large and small, create safer roadways and sidewalks, as well as environmentally sustainable bicycle and pedestrian trails. Identifying the possibilities is the first step to enhancing individual neighborhoods, or addressing larger, regional needs.”
Andrew Deslaurier, NMCOG Chair and Billerica Selectman emphasized that “This transparent regional approach will strengthen all member communities and lead to better outcomes for residents, businesses and social welfare.” Examples of projects programmed in the plan with Federal transportation dollars include intersection improvement projects like Minot’s Corner in Westford, multiuse path projects like the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, and current bridge projects like the Rourke Bridge in Lowell. We welcome you to share your feedback and suggestions for shaping the future of transportation in our region.
The next meeting of the Northern Middlesex Metropolitan Planning Organization (NMMPO) will be held on January 25, 2023 at 2:00 PM. At this meeting, the NMMPO will consider endorsing a draft amendment to the FFY 2023-2027 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). In addition, updates on Envision 2050 will be on agenda. The full agenda can be found atwww.nmcog.org.
Notice: NMMPO meetings are currently being held virtually via the Zoom platform. Information about accessing the meeting will be posted at www.nmcog.org. You can also get information on meeting access by calling 978-454-8021, ext. 121 or by emailingjhoward@nmcog.org. The NMMPO provides reasonable accommodations and/or language assistance free of charge upon request (including but not limited to interpreters in American Sign Language and languages other than English, open or closed captioning for videos, assistive listening devices and alternate material formats), as available. For assistance, please contact Justin Howard at (978) 454-8021, ext. 121 or at jhoward@nmcog.org.Requests should be made as soon as possible for services requiring advanced arrangements, including sign language, CART or language translation or interpretation
To learn more, please visit: https://www.nmcog.org/
