Press Releases

For Immediate Release

MTC Invites Bay Area Residents to Shape Strategy for Expanding Public Involvement

CONTACT:
Catalina Alvarado, 510.817.5783
John Goodwin, 510.817.5862

OAKLAND, Calif., May 10, 2007… The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) wants advice on how to involve more Bay Area residents in its transportation planning and investment decisions. The Commission has released its 2007 Draft Public Participation Plan for review and comment.

SAFETEA, the federal transportation program signed into law in 2005, requires metropolitan planning organizations such as MTC to adopt plans for providing members of the public ample opportunity to get involved in the transportation planning process. Key elements of MTC’s draft plan include frequent consultation with citizen advisory panels; mail and e-mail notification of upcoming meetings, workshops and other forums; a robust Web site allowing the public to listen to live or archived meetings, and to comment on issues before the Commission; a team of agency staff dedicated to public outreach and assistance; a range of publications available free of charge; translation of printed materials into multiple languages; and translation services available upon request at MTC meetings.

MTC will hold a public hearing on the draft plan at its June 8 Legislation Committee meeting, slated for 10 a.m. in the MetroCenter Auditorium at 101 Eighth Street (across from the Lake Merritt BART station) in downtown Oakland. Public comments will be accepted through 4 p.m. on June 20, 2007. Members of the public who cannot attend the public hearing are encouraged to e-mail comments to info@mtc.ca.gov, or submit comments via regular mail to the MTC Public Information Department at 101 Eighth St., Oakland, CA, 94607. MTC is expected to adopt a final plan in July.

To obtain a copy of the 2007 Draft Public Participation Plan, visit the MTC Web site at www.mtc.ca.gov/get_involved/, or call the MTC Library at 510.817.5836.

MTC is the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area’s transportation planning, coordinating and financing agency.

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