Transportation Fair, Open House Seek Citizen Input

PHOENIX (February 12, 1999) — Citizens will have the opportunity to learn more about the region's transportation needs and plans, as well as the chance to provide their own input and ideas, at three special events scheduled for February 18th and 23rd. The events are sponsored by the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), the Arizona Department of Transportation, and the Regional Public Transportation Authority.

The first event is a Transportation Fair that will be held Thursday, February 18th at Central Station, located on the northeast corner of 1st Avenue and Van Buren, from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
The fair will have informative displays and staff members will be available to answer questions and receive feedback. The fair will focus on transit issues and will provide information on the updated long-term (20-year) and short-term (five-year) transit plans.

On Tuesday, February 23rd, MAG will host an Open House at 4:00 p.m., followed by a Public Hearing at 5:30 p.m. Information will focus on the update of the Long Range Transportation Plan and Transportation Improvement Program, as well as a report on the status of the regional freeway system.

"We've been listening to the public's transportation issues and concerns and we've developed a list of projects and programs to be funded over the next five years," says MAG Executive Director James M. Bourey. "Now we need to know what the public thinks of these plans."

John Farry, MAG Transportation Planning Program Manager, says the events represent MAG's ongoing outreach efforts to involve the public in the planning process. "At the Open House, citizens can interact with staff members and transportation experts to directly discuss transportation issues important to them," he says. "The public hearing will allow participants to enter their comments into the public record and provide input directly to decision makers."

For more information about the public events, or to arrange interviews, please contact Kelly Taft at (602) 452-5020.