Published: December 10, 2007 11:52 am      

Input sought on transportation plan

CUMBERLAND - Hundreds of Maryland residents are sharing their views about the state's transportation system through a partnership between the Maryland Department of Transportation and library systems across the state.

Residents of Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties now can participate in a survey online at their local library. Library patrons who access the Internet there are encouraged to take a brief online survey about their transportation needs, concerns and priorities.

The Allegany County Library System supports the state effort on its own home page, www.alleganycountylibrary.info.

"We've added a link on our home page in our Scrolling Events box," said Library Director John Taube.

This allows Internet users at the library to access the survey quickly and then return to their area of interest on the Web.

The home page also offers a description of the program so patrons can become familiar with the state's goal before they link to the survey, Taube said.

"What began as a pilot project with the Baltimore County Public Library has grown to include 21 county library systems and the city of Baltimore in a collaboration that offers all of our residents from across the state an easy way to get involved in the planning process," said Transportation Secretary John Porcari.

The public input will be used in developing the next Maryland Transportation Plan - the state's long-range vision for transportation.

"We are extremely pleased with the support we have received from our partnering libraries," said Porcari. "Nearly 1,000 people have completed the survey so far, and what we are hearing from residents will be critical to setting a vision for the future of transportation in Maryland."

The plan, which is updated every five years, establishes a 20-year vision for transportation in Maryland and helps guide statewide improvements across all means of transportation, including buses, trains, highways, roads, tunnels, bridges, ports, airports, bike paths and sidewalks.

The online survey is available through any Internet connection at www.mdot.state.md.us/Planning.