An active citizen, asking for more communication from the MPO, said “Transportation is Communication.” Moving people and cargo from place to place can be seen as moving ideas from sender to receiver.

Our transportation system allows MPO member places, Huntsville, Madison, Madison County, Owens Cross Roads, and Triana to communicate with one voice.

Some ideas shared this month:

• Healing a Hole-y Bridge: Carriger Road bridge in Madison County has a hole in it. The MPO staff took fast action organizing an impromptu sit down with representatives of Madison County and the City of Huntsville immediately when the County call came in. MPO members worked together on several potential solutions. Communication is key when responding to emergency transportation needs.

• Dan Sanders of City of Huntsville Traffic Engineering invited MPO staff to discuss the BIG Picture Huntsville idea of “complete streets.” The multi-disciplinary group watched and discussed a webinar called: “Planning for Complete Streets: City Showcase.” We had no idea our nearby neighbors in Memphis, TN had a “Complete Street Project Delivery Manual” and a workbook with step-by-step processes, design guidelines and geometrics for assessing complete streets after they’re built! Check it out: www.bikepedmemphis.com on the “Plans and Publications” tab.

• City of Huntsville Business Relations Officer praised the MPO’s new Transportation Quarterly printed newsletter and wanted to see more graphic representation of what the MPO does. So, he advised us to create a Transportation Project Timeline graphic, here’s our first draft (no projects listed on here, yet, just place holders!):