WCI's Transportation Planning Program is multi-modal, which means that all
modes or methods of transportation are included in the planning process. In
addition to roads and highways, public transit, pedestrian and bicycle facilities,
railroads and aeronautics are all important elements of a multi-modal regional
transportation system.
Roads & Highways: Getting you where you want to go
West central Minnesota is fortunate to have an extensive system of highways
that interconnect the region, as well as provide a link to the rest of Minnesota,
the United States and Canada. Planning for these highways is important, as
it ensures a safe and efficient highway system for the region.
Highway planning often involves "corridor studies." Corridor
studies look at a specific stretch of highway, as well as related
elements that impact
-- or are impacted by -- the highway. In addition to traffic volumes and
roadway condition, things like land use and the natural environment
are examined in
a corridor study as well.
Some recent corridor studies that WCI has participated in include:
- Highway 10 corridor in Detroit Lakes
- Highway 10 corridor in Wadena
- Highway 34 corridor from Detroit Lakes
to Walker
Regional Multi-use Trails: Making Connections
Trails provide connections between cities, towns, schools, parks and numerous
other locations. Multi-use trails are an opportunity for people to utilize
a mode of transportation other than the automobile as they travel between these
destinations. Examples of modes that use trails include bicycles, snowmobiles,
pedestrians, ATVs and, for river trails, canoes. There are also trails specifically
for automobiles, such as Scenic Byways.
One of the goals of WCI's Transportation Planning Program is to help you make
connections with the resources necessary to help your community in its trail
planning efforts. WCI hosts Trails Networking Group meetings four
times a year. These meetings are open to anyone who is interested in multi-use
trails. The goal of the meetings is to provide an opportunity for trail developers,
advocates and users to get together and talk about trails. The meetings also
include professionals from Mn/DOT, the Department of Natural Resources, and
Explore Minnesota who are available to answer your questions about trail
development.
Email us if you would like to
be included on the Trails Networking Group email list!
In addition, the West Central Trails Planning Committee (TPC) is assisting
in the development of a regional, multi-use trails plan for west central Minnesota,
and to develop goals and objectives for a regional network of trails. Membership
of the TPC includes representation from trails users, landowners, businesses,
highway engineers, law enforcement, the Department of Natural Resources, the
Department of Transportation, the Minnesota Office of Tourism, as well as one
representative from each of the counties in WCI's transportation planning area.
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