The Bloomington Monroe County Metropolitan Planning Organization held a public meeting July 22 in the Switchyard Park Pavillion, encouraging members of the community to provide input for the 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan.
The BMCPO is under a federal requirement to have a minimum 20-year forecast of strategies and improvements to the transportation system, Pat Martin, the senior transportation planner for the BMCMPO, said. The Metropolitan Transportation Plan acts as a “menu of transportation projects to be implemented over the next 25 years,” according to the BMCMPO website.
The process of creating an updated MTP begins by assessing the previous plan, the 2045 MTP, adopted in October 2020. The BMCMPO then takes inventory of issues identified by the public, which are received by inviting community members to participate in surveys and in public meetings, including the one Monday evening.
Nine posters arranged in a semi-circle inside the Switchyard Park Pavillion illustrated through various diagrams and maps the plan’s progress and what transportation needs the BMCMPO is already aware of.
“I can boil it down to safety, mobility, connectivity,” Martin said.
Safety is the community’s primary priority, Martin said, followed by mobility and connectivity. Mobility means that community members can accessibly alternate between modes of transit, such as walking, biking, driving or public transportation. Connectivity means bringing together various neighborhoods, shopping centers, doctors, employers, schools, recreation facilities and other areas of the community.
The MTP also includes key crash areas, which correlate with higher traffic volumes. One of the most dangerous areas for accidents is at the intersection of Third Street, College Mall Road and State Road 46 and is most commonly a result of distracted driving, Martin said.
The open house-style public meeting was intended to allow for members of the community to bring to light issues that aren't yet being addressed. The BMCMPO invited guests to create conversation and post sticky-notes with suggestions.
One sticky note, reading “I like this!” was left by Collin Nielsen, pointed to an area on a map which indicated a need for a public transit connection in Ellettsville. Nielsen grew up outside of Bloomington city limits. Now living in the city for more than four years, he finds it difficult to commute for visits home without a vehicle — the issue which most encouraged him to attend the meeting.
“I’m here mostly to advocate for having a connection between Bloomington and Ellettsville,” Nielsen said. “Smith Pike and Arlington Road aren’t safe for biking. I’ve tried it, and I wouldn’t do it again.”
Deborah Myerson, a Bloomington resident of 21 years, had suggestions for other desired active transportation connections.
“What are we connecting?” Myerson said. “Certainly, recreational facilities, public schools and public libraries are great, but what about major employers? What about higher density neighborhoods?”
Myerson said she believes that having more active transportation connections could allow for residents to be less car dependent, which has several advantages itself.
“There are numerous reasons to reduce car dependency,” Myerson said. “It’s about sustainability with having fewer emissions, accessibility for people who are not drivers and want choices, overall reduces traffic congestions and creates healthier lifestyles.”
Residents are still able to provide insight by participating in the BMCMPO survey, available on its website. The 2050 MTP will be completed no later than June 2025.
