Commission presents transportation plan

 

By MIKE NEUMANN
The Independent

 

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More than two years of detailed work, in the form of a transportation plan, was handed to the Woodstock City Council at its Apri 1 meeting.
The plan, compiled by Woodstock’s transportation commission, was a priority when the city created the commission in September 2005.
The plan is intended to look “to the present and future growth of the city” and includes and identifies Illinois routes, alternate and regional arterials, railroads, railroad crossings and overpasses, municipal trails with regional trail connections and public routes.
Brian Kierna, transportation commission chairman, said the commission developed the plan for both the community and potential developers. He noted that the plan will be reviewed every two to three years.
“We are looking forward to improving upon the document as time moves forward,” he said.
The document is divided into eight chapters — introduction and overview, coordination and communication, pedestrian and sidewalks, bike routes and bike paths, public transportation, air passenger service and transportation options, motor vehicles and implementation of the plan.
Mayor Brian Sager called the process a “significant, tedious effort” and thanked the commission members for their hard work. The commission is made up of Kierna, Frank Grandau, Dallas Larson, Cary Sue Lavan, Joan Mansfield, Larry Piekos and Martin Victory.
“As we look toward the future, there is no question that transportation is going to be a significant issue for us,” Sager said, noting that the transportation plan complements the city’s comprehensive plan.
Councilman Richard Ahrens said the document will serve as a guide and reference. Councilman Mike Turner agreed.
“I think the impact it has is its ability to provide the details to outside entities (such as commercial and residential developers),” Turner said. He added that the plan will be easy to hand to a potential developer and will save city staff time fielding transportation questions.
Ahrens said he was particularly pleased with the pedestrian and sidewalks section.
“We don’t always think of transportation in the level of sidewalks and pedestrian access,” he said. Ahrens noted that the commission’s emphasis on showing that transportation is not only a Woodstock issue but a regional issue is commendable.
Councilwoman Maureen Larson had a different perspective on the transportation plan. Having served as city clerk during much of the time the document was being created, she said she understood the amount of effort put into the project.
“You started from absolutely nothing,” she said to the commission members. “It was a big job and you should be commended for all the work you put into this.”
The council unanimously accepted the transportation plan submittal and will likely vote to approve it at its April 15 meeting at City Hall.

 

This article was published in the April 16, 2008 edition of The Woodstock Independent.