Metropolitan Council seeks public input on Twin Cities transportation plan

The Metropolitan Council is soliciting public comments on a draft of the 2040 Regional Transportation Policy Plan for the Twin Cities region until Oct. 1.

The 2040 plan sets goals and objectives for the transportation system's improvement. Updated every four years, the plan involves the input and review of the council's regional partners, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, elected officials, transportation industry leaders, and county and city representatives.

“This plan represents significant collaboration over the last two years between the Met Council, our transportation partners and the public, through meetings, working groups, workshops, and interviews,” said Amy Vennewitz, the council's deputy director of transportation planning and finance, in a press release.

The plan takes a "performance-based" approach to transportation planning, which means continually measuring and monitoring various parameters in the transportation system to assess the effectiveness of service and performance, Metropolitan Council officials said. The approach can range from monitoring transit ridership to the number of cars and people on the road to maintenance of the transportation system.

Ten public workshops will be held between Aug. 26 and Sept. 25 to review the plan and solicit feedback.