Transportation plan begins journey with first in series of meetings

Members of the public gathered Wednesday at the Osage Centre to learn more about a local planning organization's efforts to create a long-term transportation plan for the region.

The Southeast Metropolitan Planning Organization, or SEMPO, covers the Cape Girardeau/Jackson urban area that includes portions of Cape Girardeau and Scott counties, as well as portions of East Cape Girardeau and Alexander County in Illinois. It's federally mandated and funded.

SEMPO is in the first stages of preparing a metropolitan transportation plan and began the first of many meetings by answering questions about the group and the plan's concept.

Molly Hood, the group's executive director, said giving people a clear picture is an important first step. While Hood is Cape Girardeau's assistant city manager, SEMPO is independent from city government, as well as Jackson and Cape Girardeau County' governments.

Many questions asked at the first of two meetings Wednesday were about SEMPO itself, Hood said.

"It's a lot of just trying to explain what SEMPO is and how it came to be," she said. "And, also, explaining what we are and what we do."

Conducting a metropolitan transportation plan is a key requirement for the group. Factors it must consider throughout the planning include increasing safety of transportation systems for motorized and nonmotorized users, increasing accessibility and mobility, improving quality of life and enhancing and protecting the environment.

For Mark Langenfeld, keeping in mind the needs of nonmotorized travelers is important. He's part of a bicycling group called Velo Girardeau and a volunteer for the city's bicycle committee, which worked with the city to paint bicycle lanes on some of Cape Girardeau's roads and place "share the road" signs to remind drivers to be aware of cyclists.

He said he's heard many people refer to bicycle paths as "extras" when it comes to transportation planning, but Langenfeld said it's important to realize it's a key mode of transportation for many, himself included.

"It's my method of transportation. That's how I got here [to the meeting]. That's how I'll get back," he said.

And granting people more opportunities to cycle and more ease to safely navigate one through the city will encourage more people to look at a two-wheel mode of transportation.

The plan also will assess the area's streets, rail, ports and airports. After the public information meetings, SEMPO will develop vision and goal statements, which will be the best time for members of the public to provide input on the needs of the community.

Hood said the next public meeting will be in the first quarter of next year. The transportation plan is expected to be complete in spring 2016.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

1625 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, Mo.