Florence workshop will discuss safety, mobility in transportation

By: Traci Bridges | SCNow
Published: February 17, 2010

FLORENCE — The public is invited to a workshop Thursday night to discuss ideas to improve safety and mobility for bicyclists, pedestrians, transit riders and highway users in the Florence area.

Information gathered at the workshop will be used in the development of the Florence Area Transportation Study’s ongoing Long Term Transportation Plan.

IF YOU’RE GOING

WHAT: FLATS Long Range Transportation Plan Public Workshop
WHEN: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday
WHERE: Room 803, Florence City-County Complex, 180 N. Irby St., Florence
INFO: Call (843) 676-8800 or click here to visit their website.

Attendees will have an opportunity to give suggestions in large and small discussion groups and meet one-on-one with consultants about their proposed recommendations.

The plan updates the region’s existing long range transportation plan. It will be used to identify key regional transportation decisions based on community needs; provide critical information to be considered in the prioritization and funding of projects in the development of the Transportation Improvement Program; and foster multimodal transportation decisions and as a result, ensure consistency among competing modes.

“The consultants will give updates and recommendations on where they are with the plan, and we want as much public participation as possible,” Scott Park of the Florence County Planning Department said. “Public participation and input is crucial to this process, so we’re hoping for a big crowd (at the meeting).”

Florence is positioned at the intersection of two key interstates and two major U.S. highways. According to the study overview, this location and transportation give the Florence area a significant advantage in a competitive marketplace. The challenge for the area is to maintain this strategic advantage by making thoughtful decisions regarding the future of transportation in the region.

According to consultants, the local desire for bicycle and pedestrian amenities is key, because it reflects the need for a multimodal transportation system for local, regional and national travel.

The federal government requires each Metropolitan Planning Organization to update its long range transportation plan every five years to reflect the region’s changing needs and priorities. The Florence area Metropolitan Planning Organization includes the city of Florence, town of Quinby, the unincorporated ares of Florence County and a small unincorporated area of Darlington.