HispanicBusiness

NEW YORK, Aug. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- Billions of federal dollars will flow into the metropolitan area over the next 25 years to improve the region's transportation system, and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) is seeking input into how that money should be spent. An innovative interactive website, http://ideas.nymtc-rtp.org , developed by MindMixer, will make it easier for people in the region to share their concerns, provide ideas and feedback and participate in the development of the 2040 Regional Transportation Plan. Input on topics ranging from traffic congestion to transit to biking to moving goods can be offered for local communities, New York City, the lower Hudson Valley, Long Island, and for the region as a whole.

When developed, NYMTC's 2040 Plan will lay out a long-range framework for maintaining and improving the region's transportation system: Roads, bridges, freight, mass transit facilities, and its bicycle and pedestrian networks. It will ultimately identify the transportation improvement concepts, projects and policy recommendations that address the region's long-term growth challenges and needs \x96 an initial step to bringing federal transportation dollars into the area.

Updated every four years, NYMTC's Plan will be the product of a metropolitan planning process that seeks to bring together as many of the region's governmental entities, businesses and residents as possible to focus on future transportation needs. NYMTC is a regional council of governments that is the metropolitan planning organization for New York City, Long Island and the lower Hudson Valley, enabling federal transportation funds to flow into the region.

In addition to the new interactive website, NYMTC will hold a series of open house meetings over the coming months to gather ideas from the people who live and work here about what transportation projects and programs they'd like to see put in place through 2040, and beyond. Open house dates and locations will be posted on http://www.NYMTC-RTP.org .

"This is a real chance to get involved in planning for transportation improvements in the region for the next 25 years," noted NYMTC Executive Director Joel Ettinger. "With billions of dollars at stake, we are launching this interactive website and holding open houses throughout the area to encourage as many people as possible to tell us what transportation issues are on their mind. Please join the discussion \x96 your concerns and issues matter."


SOURCE New York Metropolitan Transportation Council