All Christiansburg residents should have received a nice letter from the Mayor announcing the expanded public transportation services, effective Nov. 23.
This came about through a partnership with the Town of Blacksburg's transit department, and a goodly amount of federal stimulus dollars. Also supporting this initiative was the New River Valley Planning District Commission (PDC), with a sub-group known as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). MPOs are established based on census counts, focusing on regional transportation needs, and the one working on this initiative comprises Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Montgomery County (BCM). PDCs are determined by geographic regions from a state perspective, and project funding comes from federal, state and various representative government sources.
Getting localities to collaborate can be like nailing jello to a wall, and so it was a bit disconcerting to read in the Mayor's letter that "In December 2008, the Town of Christiansburg sent a survey to all Christiansburg households about public transportation."
The "town" did not send the survey out, nor compile the data, nor pay for this undertaking. That again was the NRV PDC and MPO. Acknowledging who is doing what should be a no-brainer, and partnerships that produce measurable outcomes should be championed and recognized. Note the NRV PDC has its own Vision 2020 plan, too, as does Christiansburg (see if you can find it easily on their updated website).
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Another MPO and town initiative is relative to a "final draft of a study to analyze potential enhancements to improve traffic flow and safety at and near the intersection of North Franklin Street and Cambria Street." The key words here are draft, study, analyze, and potential. The outcome is identifying a recommended set of improvements and more "planning-level" cost estimates.
No one will really take credit for the design and construction of a new dog-leg on Route 460 Business (North Franklin) that effectively cut the town in two several years ago, nor the strangest intersection to be found in the entire Commonwealth.
But on Wednesday, Dec. 16 from 4 until 6 pm, citizens will be able to see the summary information about "potentially" fixing this intersection. The meeting will be held in Christiansburg's Town Council chambers. Oral comments will be taken by project staff, yet it's highly recommended these are pointedly polite and constructive. Written comments may likewise be completed and submitted during this meeting, or sent to the BCM MPO at 755 Roanoke St., Suite 21, Christiansburg, VA 24073 no later than January 8, 2010.
For more about the NRV PDC's BCM MPO, visit this county web page. To take a look at the draft plan, see this link.