Charlotte’s traffic is like the weather, right? Everyone complains but who can do anything? Well, right now, YOU CAN do something about traffic – by taking an online survey to help shape state and local decisions for the next 25 years about roads, light rail, other transit service and where you walk and bike. But hurry! The survey closes Friday!

What is this survey and why is it needed?

The survey is to help update the Metropolitan Transportation Plan. This plan defines the policies, programs and projects to be implemented over the next 25 years reduce congestion, improve safety, support land use plans, and provide mobility choices in Mecklenburg, Iredell and part of Union counties.

Our state transportation department and legislature use that information when prioritizing and funding transportation projects across the state, from funding the LYNX Blue Line Extension to building new roads like the Eastern Circumferential Highway through University City. Every four years, the plan is updated to reflect changing needs and priorities.

Who oversees the plan?

The survey and the Metropolitan Transportation Plan are the work of the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization. This state-authorized group oversees long-range transportation planning in Mecklenburg, Iredell and the urbanized part of Union County.

Here’s how you can shape the updated Metropolitan Transportation Plan

Through Friday, Feb. 10, the public can help develop project priorities and goals/objectives by taking a survey and using an interactive online map to comment on existing projects (both positive and negative comments are welcome) and recommending new ones.

1. Visit the website 2045mtp.org to learn about the transportation plan, read priorities, and learn about the process.
2. Read the Draft Goals and Objectives that will be used to guide this planning process. You may be interested to know that the seven key goals include increasing our choices for getting around while promoting “equitable transportation options” for low-income and minority neighborhoods and for the elderly.
3. Add your ideas to the Interactive Priority Projects Map. This is a great interactive map that shows all future road projects now in the plan. You can click on any of the project icons to call up a popup window where you can say whether this is a good or bad project and add your ideas of how it should be developed.
4. Take the MTP Survey. While the map addresses specific projects, the survey gets at your overall priorities for the Charlotte region’s evolving transportation system. For example, one question asks, if you had $1 million to spend, how much would you spend on new roads, wider roads, more transit, better sidewalks etc.?
5. Sign up for updates. You can keep up with the process via email, mailed newsletters, social media and other options.

I took the survey – now what?

The website fills you in on the process. It also provides ways for you to stay informed. There will be additional opportunities to help shape the plan. To learn more:

1. Visit the Metropolitan Transportation Plan website
2. Watch a video about this plan and two related ones
3. Like the Planning Organization’s Facebook page