Pamela Barrett

The Augusta Regional Transportation Study (ARTS) Regional Freight Plan Update serves as a roadmap to reassess the existing freight profile and develop strategic approaches for managing escalating freight demands. The plan's core objectives encompass enhancing freight mobility and connectivity, promoting economic vitality through infrastructure investments, improving workforce access via multimodal transportation, and prioritizing safety, equity, resilience, and adaptability. It also focuses on integrating innovative land use strategies, fostering robust stakeholder engagement, and developing effective implementation and funding mechanisms to guide future transportation investments.

This Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) outlines a multi-year intermodal strategy for the Augusta Regional Transportation Study (ARTS) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The program aims to ensure continued accessibility, connectivity, efficiency, mobility, and safety for the movement of people and freight. Its strategic goals encompass reducing traffic congestion and delay, improving mobility, accessibility, and connectivity for all users, enhancing traffic safety and transportation system security, maintaining and preserving existing infrastructure, fostering regional economic vitality and job opportunities, enhancing the social and environmental fabric, promoting efficient land use and development patterns, developing a financially and politically feasible plan, and promoting effective public and stakeholder engagement.

This Public Participation Plan for the Augusta Regional Transportation Study (ARTS) establishes a framework for timely and meaningful public input into the metropolitan transportation planning process. It outlines strategies for proactive engagement, complete information dissemination, timely public notice, and full public access to key decisions. The plan is structured around six core components: Consultation, Public Access, Public Outreach and Education, Public Input, Evaluation, and Public Participation Reports. It also emphasizes inclusive involvement, addressing the needs of traditionally underserved populations, and ensuring environmental justice in transportation planning.

This multi-year intermodal Transportation Improvement Program outlines the planned transportation projects for the Augusta-Richmond County, GA, and Aiken County, SC, urbanized areas. It covers a financial period from fiscal year 2024 to 2027 for Georgia and from 2024 to 2033 for South Carolina. The program details projects across various modes, including highways, roads, bridges, Intelligent Transportation Systems, traffic signals, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, public transit, and freight. Key objectives include reducing traffic congestion, improving mobility, accessibility, and connectivity for all users, enhancing transportation system safety and security, maintaining existing infrastructure, fostering economic vitality, and promoting efficient land use and development patterns.

The Policy Committee meeting addressed several key items. The agenda included an informational presentation on the Regional Freight Plan update by Metro Analytics, covering project schedule, outreach activities, existing conditions, and next steps. Major votes included the approval of the FY 2025 Unified Planning Work Program, which involved discussion on the funding source for the Wrightsboro Road Corridor Study and language changes regarding CAC committee membership appointments. The committee also considered the approval of the 2024 Congestion Management Process GAMPO Application, detailing the scope for a consultant-led update adhering to federal guidelines. Furthermore, amendments to the FY 2024-2033 Transportation Improvement Program and 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan were up for approval, alongside an amendment to the Georgia Avenue Traffic Calming & Pedestrian Access Study. Informational updates were provided on TIP Modifications, status of regional transportation projects across Georgia Highways, South Carolina Highways, Augusta Transit, Best Friend Express, and Augusta Regional Airport. Other business included scheduling the next meeting and updates on the Travel Demand Model and EPA Air Quality PM 2.5 rule impact.