The Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (SAWMPO) has completed the first phase of public engagement for the 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), gathering valuable insights from residents about their vision for the region’s transportation future.
The SAWMPO, staffed by the CSPDC, collected feedback from 284 community members through an online survey, community consultation sessions, and pop-up events across the region. The survey revealed strong community interest in expanding the options for transportation in the SAW area, particularly for walking, biking, and public transit. Other key findings from the public engagement survey include:
- Missing sidewalks and crosswalks ranked as the top transportation concern, followed by safety issues and distracted driving
- Residents noted other concerns about traffic safety and speed controls, particularly around interstate interchanges and impacts on local roads near residential areas during I-81 incidents
- Respondents expressed strong interest in protected bike lanes and family-friendly trails connecting neighborhoods to services
- Expanded public transit service was highlighted as a priority, especially in rural Augusta County areas
The SAWMPO also conducted targeted outreach through five community consultation sessions with 20 organizations with the goal of reaching traditionally underrepresented populations and establishing new partnerships for future engagement. SAWMPO hopes these consultations will help better refine efforts to reach all populations in SAW as the planning process moves into project development and prioritization phases in 2025.
These findings will directly inform Phase Two of the LRTP process, beginning in February 2025, when residents will have the opportunity to weigh in on specific proposed projects.
Visit sawmpo.org/long-range-planning to view the complete Public Engagement Summary Report and learn about upcoming opportunities to participate in Phase Two of the LRTP update.