Transportation plan input sought

Transportation plans for the tri-county area are being updated, and local residents will have several opportunities to make sure their priorities for roads, bike paths and transit services are considered during meetings this week and next week.

Getting a project included in the plan doesn't mean it will happen, but projects that are not included in the plan cannot receive any federal funding through the Charleston Area Transportation Study, the region's federally- recognized metropolitan planning organization.

Local governments already are weighing in with projects they favor, like a new road proposed across Johns Island that the town of Kiawah Island has asked the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments to include in the transportation plan.

The plan is officially the Charleston Area Transportation Study Long Range Transportation Plan, and it's supposed to lay out priorities for the three counties through 2035. Such plans typically are updated every three to five years.

There already is a draft version of the plan, which is available on the Council of Governments' Web site, at bcdcog.com/LRP.htm.

The CHATS Policy Committee is scheduled to finalize and approve the plan in May.

Public meetings to learn about the plan and offer suggestions will take place at these times and locations:

• Monday, in Ladson, from 6-8 p.m. at College Park Middle School, 713 College Park Road.

• Tuesday, in Summerville, from 6-8 p.m. at Summerville High School, 1101 Boone Hill Road.

• Thursday, in North Charleston, from 6-8 p.m. at Fort Dorchester High School, 8500 Patriot Blvd.

• Monday, Nov. 16th, in Mt. Pleasant, from 6-8 p.m. at Moultrie Middle School, 645 Coleman Blvd.

• Thursday, Nov. 19th, in West Ashley, from 6-8 p.m. at West Ashley High School, 4060 Wildcat Blvd.

Additional meetings might be scheduled.

Reach David Slade at937-5552 or dslade@postandcourier.com.