(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
July 29, 2016 - 2:57 PM
KAMLOOPS - The City of Kamloops wants residents to help steer Kamloops down the road to sustainability by providing input into the City’s Transportation Master Plan.
A Stakeholder Advisory Group, representing Kamloops community members, businesses and agencies, has been advising on the Transportation Master Planning process since it began in March. Broad public participation is being planned for this summer and fall.
During August, public engagement will focus on identifying transportation challenges and possibilities for various modes of transportation, including driving, walking, cycling and transit. There are a number of ways for residents to participate:
A community survey on the City’s website will be open until Aug. 22 to gather broad community input. Visit the City of Kamloops website for more information and to take the survey.
Also, visit the City’s booths at:
“Public and stakeholder input is essential to make sure the final Transportation Master Plan reflects the needs and desires of the community,” City Engineering Manager Deven Matkowski said.
The City’s original TravelSmart Plan, which was completed in 1999, was the City’s last major transportation planning exercise. The Sustainable Kamloops Plan developed in 2010 and the current update of the Official Community Plan (KAMPLAN) are defining a new vision for a sustainable Kamloops. An updated Transportation Master Plan will integrate and connect these planning initiatives.
The Transportation Master Plan will equip Kamloops to effectively plan for growth while shifting to more sustainable transportation. Over the next 2 decades, Kamloops population is expected to grow an average of 1.6 per cent per year - from a population of 86,000 today to 120,000 by 2035. At the same time, the City’s sustainability targets require significant reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to be considered a sustainable community.
“The Transportation Master Plan will help us to identify how we can optimize the use of transit, walking and cycling,” Matkowski said. “Increasing sustainable modes of transportation will help us to meet our sustainability targets. We know from other Cities’ experiences, that this creates a greater sense of community and ultimately improves quality of life for residents.”
Driving personal vehicles is the most common form of transportation for residents traveling to work in Kamloops today - representing 79 per cent of trips. The Transportation Master plan will help Kamloops to maintain a functional and efficient transportation network that considers all modes of travel and effectively moves people, goods and services.
For more information on the Transportation Master Plan, to find out about opportunities to participate and to access the online survey visit the City of Kamloops website.
News from © iNFOnews, 2016