Dover/Kent County MPO

MPO public comment period for spending plan in place from March 30 to April 30

CAMDEN – The Dover/Kent County Metropolitan Planning Organization has opened a public comment period for its draft annual spending plan, known as the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), for FY 2016. The comment period started March 30 and will run through April 30. This spending plan, which becomes effective July 1, is approximately $500,000. Part of the funds are marked for several planning studies and programs that coordinate transportation and land use in central Delaware. Through the UPWP, the MPO will continue assisting municipalities with their comprehensive plan development. In addition, the MPO will continue to assist the city of Dover’s enhancement of its downtown development district by conducting land use and transportation planning studies. The Dover/Kent County MPO is federally required to have a written work program in accordance with the federal transportation bill, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21). MAP-21 authorizes federal surface transportation programs for highways, highway safety and transit. The MPO’s policy-making body, the MPO Council, is scheduled to vote on the UPWP at its May 6 meeting. The council will meet at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6 in the council chambers of Camden Town Hall. If approved, the budget goes to the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration and the Delaware Department of Transportation for review and approval. A copy of the UPWP is available here, or by going to the MPO’s homepage and clicking on the UPWP on the Programs menu. The public may request a copy or comment on the draft UPWP by calling the office at (302) 387-6026 or (302) 387-6030, or via e-mail by writing to kate.layton@doverkentmpo.org or doverkentmpo@gmail.com.

Public Comment Period, TIP 2014-17 proposed amendment

MPO opens public comment period on TIP amendment for Scenic Byways The Dover/Kent County Metropolitan Planning Organization is looking for public input on proposed changes to its Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for fiscal years 2014-2017. Changes to the TIP warrant a minimum 30-day public review and comment period. This comment period will run from Aug. 1 to 31, 2014. This proposed amendment has to do with Delaware’s Scenic Byways program, and the more than $1.3 million additional federal funding that recently became available to the program to be spent within the FY 2014-17 TIP. The extra money brings the total funds for the Scenic Byways program within this TIP to more than $1.8 million. The goals of the byways program include the identification, promotion, preservation and enhancement of Delaware roads with at least one of the following intrinsic qualities: scenic, historic, natural, cultural, recreational and archeological. These funds are to assist sponsors of designated byways to prepare corridor management plans, or for other purposes including implementation of projects identified in the plans, marketing the byway, or addressing safety improvements needed due to the designation. This is a federally participating program. These funds can only be used in conjunction with Delaware’s federally approved program. 06 02 14 CTP FY 14 Scenic Byways Program Dover Kent County

Public comment period still open for FY15 UPWP

FY-2015-UPWP There is still time to comment on the Dover/Kent County Metropolitan Planning Organization’s annual spending plan, known as the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), for FY2015. The comment period will run until May 15.  This spending plan, which becomes effective July 1, 2014, is $654,370, part of which is marked for several planning studies and programs that coordinate transportation and land use in central Delaware. The MPO’s FY 2015 proposed planning studies include: A bicycle and pedestrian plan for the city of Dover  U.S. 13 Transportation Improvement District Rt. 10 Trail study A Milford northeast area master plan In addition, the MPO proposes to provide assistance to towns that are preparing or updating their comprehensive plans. The Dover/Kent County MPO is federally required to have a written work program in accordance with the federal transportation bill, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21). MAP-21 authorizes federal surface transportation programs for highways, highway safety and transit. The MPO’s policy-making body, the MPO Council, is scheduled to vote on the UPWP at its May 7 meeting, pending the completion of the public comment period. The Council’s meeting will be held at 3 p.m. on May 7 in the council chambers of Camden Town Hall. If approved, the budget goes to the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration and the Delaware Department of Transportation for review and approval. An electronic copy is available by clicking the link above, but the public may request copies by calling the office at (302) 387-6026 or (302) 387-6030.