Active transit planning continues

Public survey set to go in May

Safety, accessibility and efficiency are top qualities for creating an ideal transportation system in Lorain.

Meanwhile, local residents will get a chance to weigh in on what it’s like to walk, ride their bikes and drive their cars around Lorain.

School, health and transportation officials met April 21 at the Administration Center of Lorain City Schools to continue creating the new Active Transportation Plan for Lorain.

Starting in February, the group has met with the goal creating a guide for how Lorain City Schools, city officials and residents to help people get around the community safely and effectively on foot, by bike and generally without using cars. The Lorain County General Health District has spearheaded the effort.

On April 21, consultants Stephanie Tresso

of Murphy/Epson and David Shipps of TranSystems Corp. presented results of an exercise by which committee members described their visions and goals for such a plan.

“Safe” was the most used descriptor, according to the results. The participants also want to see a transportation network that is efficient, accessible, equitable, affordable, healthy, citywide and reliable.

Lorain residents, people who work or travel through the city also will get the chance to share their opinions.

The consultants also showed drafts of two community surveys expected to become available in May.

One has a question-andanswer format. It seeks information about the respondents and information about walking, biking or using buses or other public transit in Lorain.

The other survey will be an interactive map that allows people to mark roads and places they think are good or bad for active transportation.

Once that happens, the consultants expect to have field work in Lorain, meeting with residents and watching how people move through the streets, June 19 to 23.

Also attending were Jeff Hawks, Cindy Coyle Don Jacopin, Jamie Montague, Carmen Ransom, Bryan Hilko and Erin Gadd of Lorain City Schools; Kat Bray and Sara Tillie of the Lorain County General Health District; Jeremy Adato and Gerald Schlett of the Ohio Department of Transportation; Neil Hamilton of the Lorain County Engineer’s Office; Derek Feuerstein, chief of staff of Lorain Mayor Chase Ritenauer, with student observer Anastasia Matlin; and Ed Stewart, founder and past president of the Silver Wheels Cycling Club.