There are three public comment periods currently open to improve the Madison area's transportation system. Please take a moment to submit your thoughts on these plans!
Connect Greater Madison Regional Transportation Plan 2050
Deadline: Comments on interactive map due April 15 and written comments due May 8
How to comment: Add a comment to the interactive map (due April 15), Add a comment to the draft plan and/or email a comment to mpo@cityofmadison.com.
Background information: The Madison area is resetting their priorities for land use and transportation planning. These will influence how decisions are made about development and transportation in our region at the local level. This plan guides the priorities and decisions for all sectors of transportation through 2050 - pedestrian, bike, public transit and roads. The next 10 years are critical for addressing climate change and ensuring that we are building a region where car ownership is not a requirement for success and quality of life.
Points to emphasize: The recommendations should support and reflect the goals outlined in the 2050 Regional Development Framework which call for policies and actions that will promote growth that:
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Reduces greenhouse gas emissions and fosters community resilience to climate change
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Increases access to jobs, housing, and services for all people
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Conserves farmland, water resources, natural areas, and fiscal resources
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Aligns with the Sustainable Madison Plan, the Dane County Climate Action Plan, and the Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change
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This is also an opportunity to emphasize key comments related to the Madison Metro redesign and the Beltline study. Specifically: transit, walking and biking should be improved and the highway should be maintained and repaired, not expanded.
Madison Metro Forward System Redesign
Deadline: Comments due April 30
How to comment: Make a comment by emailing MetroRedesign@cityofmadison.com and/or Fill out the Madison Metro survey. Additionally, we recommend sending your comments to your Alder and the Mayor’s office (mayor@cityofmadison.com).
Background information: Madison Metro is undergoing a system redesign. This is a huge opportunity to shape a bus transit system that prioritizes access, equity, justice and the environment. Please add your voice and ideas to make the system as strong as it can be!
Points to emphasize: You can access Sierra Club - Four Lakes Group’s comments here to inform the comments you make. For more information and Sierra Club’s positions on the Metro Redesign Amendments that are being introduced, visit https://www.sierraclub.org/wisconsin/four-lakes/public-transit. We recommend that your comment emphasizes that the plan:
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Needs analysis on demographic data that does not include the student/campus population because Madison’s residential low income communities and Communities of Color - especially Black neighborhoods - should have specific analysis to assure that further harm, injustice and segregation is not caused by this plan. The needs of students/campus are different from communities on the periphery of the City of Madison and in neighboring municipalities.
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Must prioritize those who are differently abled, including people with mobility challenges and visual impairments. While more frequent service with less coverage may benefit some, it presents real barriers to people with disabilities.
Beltline Highway Corridor Planning and Environment Linkages
Deadline: Comments due May 13, 2022
How to comment: Submit a written comment and/or Fill out the DOT survey
Background Information: The Department of Transportation is currently conducting a study about the Beltline highway in Madison to determine plans for it. Some of the current proposed solutions include improved public transportation, expanded park & ride options, and better pedestrian and bicycle connections. This is a huge opportunity to integrate all modes of transportation in the Madison area. This is also an opportunity to advocate for repairing the highway instead of expanding it, which would have negative impacts on air, water, land and social justice. Please encourage these environmentally-friendly transportation solutions, paired with a preserve & maintain highway corridor. Additionally, we recommend transit, walking and biking improvements at interchanges without expanding vehicle capacity.
We recommend supporting:
✅ Improved public transit linkages and crossings
✅ Better bike and pedestrian connections and infrastructure
✅ Park & ride options
We recommend opposing
❌ Additional highway lane and expanded flex lanes
❌ Overbuilt interchanges with expanded vehicle capacity