Office of Planning, Environment, & Realty (HEP)
Planning · Environment · Real Estate
Your participation in each step of the transportation-planning process is key to identifying good solutions. You can also play an important role in project development by sharing your perspective on the history, issues, and priorities of your local area. It is critical to express your views and ideas about proposed transportation solutions during the planning and project-development stages. The agency will consider your input along with that of other individuals, groups, and agencies to make project decisions that are in the best overall public interest while meeting all applicable laws and regulations.
Remember, project development is about finding a location and developing a design for how the project will look and work. Perhaps you can recommend ways to avoid, lessen, or compensate for an impact. We call this mitigation. Or, you may be able to recommend some special or additional features that may benefit your community. These are called enhancements. Mitigation and enhancement are discussed during the planning and project-development phases.
Just as with the transportation-planning process, you should put your name on the project mailing list, attend project public meetings, and invite transportation officials to your community meetings. During this phase, an advisory committee may be formed to give the community direct access to project staff and input into the process. On large projects, you can expect the sponsoring agency to hold public hearings, meetings, and/or workshops in the project area.
In order to have the greatest impact on the development of transportation solutions, get involved early. Your input, whether verbal or written, can help shape your community's quality of life.
