metropolitan planning organization for blair county (altoona msa) 2015-2040 regional long range...
TRANSCRIPT
Metropolitan Planning Organization for Blair County (Altoona MSA)
2015-2040 Regional Long Range Transportation Plan
Draft
Agency Coordination Meeting (ACM) Presentation
December 9, 2015
Blair MPO Transportation Staff Presenting
Wes Burket – Transportation Planner
Blair County Planning Commission
Tina Enderlein – Strategic Planner
Blair County Planning Commission
Presentation Overview
Blair MPO Regional Transportation Plan
MPO Region and Population
Transportation Network
Roadway & Bridge Condition
Existing & Future Land Use
2015-2018 Highway & Bridge Projects
2019-2040 Highway & Bridge Projects
Significant Projects & Potentially Impacted Resources
Mitigation Strategies
Blair County MPO 2015-2040 Regional Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP)
Purpose – State’s and MPO’s are required to have long range transportation plans prior to receiving federal transportation funding.
Preparing long range transportation plans is valuable because transportation issues and solutions are typically regional in nature. Considering transportation trends, challenges, goals, and projects on a regional basis results in a more effective use of limited transportation funding.
Document the status of the existing transportation system, identify long-term needs, and projects to meet those needs.
Provide a minimum 20 year planning horizon
Update the plan every 5 years
Use the latest population, land use, travel, employment, congestion, safety and economic data
Provide for capacity increases where needed
Assess environmental impacts
Projects are constrained by limited funding
Provide public participation
Blair County MPO Region Population County: 127,089
1 % of Total PA Population of 12.7 million
Urbanized Area: approximately 80,000
City of Altoona: 46,320
Land Use Area Total 526 Square Miles; 26
Municipalities;
Forest/Game Lands - 64.7%
Agricultural – 20%
Residential – 8.4%
Transportation/Utilities – 3% Source: 2010 US Census & Blair County 2007 Comprehensive Plan
Blair County Population Density by Planning Region
Blair County MPO Roadway Network
1,236 Total Linear Roadway Miles
767 miles local & 463 miles state
I-99 Highest ADT is 34,000
2.7 Million Daily Vehicle Miles Traveled (DVMT) in 2013 : 0.3 million on local roads and 2.4 million on state/other roads
13% decline in DVMT since 2007 Source: PennDOT Pub 600 (9-14)
Roadway Condition (IRI)
1,234 Total Linear Roadway Miles
83% Roads = Excellent/Good IRI
17% Roads = Fair/Poor (majority of local roads)
Bridge Condition
436 Bridges in the Risk Assessment – 6% of State Bridges and 35% of Local Bridges are Structurally Deficient
2 State Bridges > or = to 8 feet and 20 Local Bridges > or = 20 feet are posted
Existing Land Use Features
Farmland Soils and Agriculture
High Quality and Exceptional Value Streams
Wetlands and Floodplains
Wildlife Habitats
Community Facilities & Cultural Resources
Other Protected Lands
Hazardous Waste Sites
Blair County 2015-2040 TIP and TYP Projects
Potential Environmental Impacts
*T&E Score calculated by a geographically dispersed PNDI search sample resulting in 13 of 20 (65%) of sample projects receiving a hit or score of 10 - hence 65% or (68 projects of 105 total projects) have T&E impact.
US 22 Frankstown Intersection
Farmland SoilsSection 4(f)Historic or Archaeological ResourcesFloodplainWetlandsWild or Stocked Trout StreamsT&E SpeciesWater Trail
1011 Canoe Creek to US 22
Farmland SoilsSection 4(f)Historic or Archaeological ResourcesFloodplainWetlandsHazardous WasteWild or Stocked Trout StreamsT&E SpeciesHQ/EV Streams
Environmental Mitigation Goals
Retain project consistency with the long range transportation and the Comprehensive Plan.
Apply consideration for existing built and natural environments during project design.
Discourage major highway and interchange projects in areas designated for natural features or agricultural preservation.
Express a preference for existing highways, roadways, and rights-of-ways over relocations or bypasses.
Apply current environmental regulations to the study, design, and construction of major highway and bridge projects.
Utilize current technology that lessens or minimizes impact to ecological and biological features.
Ensure that a wide range of recreational opportunities are available including community parks, neighborhood parks, special use facilities, and county parks.
Maintain and improve existing park and recreational facilities and identify opportunities for the creation of new facilities.
Long Range Plan Goals and Policies
Environmental Mitigation Strategies Consult with local, regional, state, and federal organizations and agencies to avoid, minimize,
or mitigate impacts from TIP and LRTP projects through the use of the LPN system. Support the PA Farmland Preservation Conservation Easement purchase program and
encourage municipalities to establish and increase enrollment in Agricultural Security Areas (ASAs).
Encourage municipalities through the involvement of the Blair County Conservation District to develop and implement agricultural zoning for areas with prime farmland and land that has traditionally been used for farming.
Implement the Blair County Greenway Action Plan which includes greenways corridor for recreation and water trails, conservation areas, and water supply protection.
Preserve environmental, natural, cultural, and historic, features through the Blair County Greenway network.
Protect and preserve core natural areas using open space preservation tools and sustainable forest management practices.
Work with local historic preservation societies and municipalities to develop and maintain a historic site survey to track historic properties recognized under the Municipalities Planning Code (MPC).
Promote the County’s historic and cultural heritage through tourism and economic development programs.
Establish connections with historic societies and support their historic preservation and outreach efforts.
Environmental Mitigation Strategies Work with PennDOT and other relevant agencies as necessary to utilize existing
wetland mitigation banks that serve the watersheds in Blair County.
Continue early consultation with PA Game Commission, PA Fish and Boat Commission, PA DCNR, and US Fish and Wildlife Serve and observe seasonal work restrictions for projects associated with the Indian Bat and Northern Long Eared Bat.
Continue working with municipalities and landowners to preserve areas designated as biological diverse areas and limit the type and intensity of development in areas identified as landscape conservation areas.
Increase education and awareness on the importance of protecting sensitive environmental features in the County including the financial and ecological benefits.
Continue support to the Blair County Conservation District’s Erosion & Sedimentation control program and Best Management Practices (BMPs).
Provide support to municipalities to develop and implement floodplain management ordinances and mapping.
Promote education efforts to raise awareness among residents and developers on the importance of floodplain protection and stormwater management efforts.
Support environmental education and awareness raising awareness of the benefits of environmentally sensitive design, brownfield, and infill development “green buildings”.
Support the implementation of the Blair County Solid Waste Management Plan.
Questions?Wes Burket
Transportation Planner
Tina Enderlein
Strategic Planner
Blair County Planning Commission
814-693-2080
http://www.blairco.org/planning/Pages/WelcomeToBCPC.aspx