The Delta Grassroots Caucus (DGC) is a broad coalition of grassroots leaders in the eight-state Delta region. DGC is also a founding partner of the Economic Equality Caucus,
which advocates for economic equality across the USA.

Please Take Part in Ongoing DRA Meetings on Multi-Modal Transportation

Posted on March 27, 2008 at 09:56 AM

We are glad to forward this message from the Delta Regional Authority at their request–please come to these meetings and give your feedback on the development of multi-modal transportation in the Delta. Included are meetings on March 28 in Pine Bluff, AR, on March 31 in Memphis, TN, on April 8 in Cape Girardeau, MO, on April 9 in Mayfield, KY, and April 18 in Carterville, IL. Details on each are below. Thanks–Lee Powell (MDGC)

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT REX NELSON–(501) 686-6188

The Delta Regional Authority will continue its second round of public meetings to discuss multimodal transportation in the region with a session Friday in Pine Bluff, Ark., and a meeting Monday in Memphis.

Public meetings were held earlier this week in Monroe, La.; Jackson, Miss.; and Selma, Ala.

The meetings will allow the authority to finalize its multimodal strategic plan for the 240 counties and parishes it serves. When Congress created the authority in 2000, one of the investment priorities listed for the DRA was the transportation infrastructure of the Delta. Last year, the authority released its plan for the Delta Development Highway System. The highway plan was completed following input from transportation executives and local leaders in the eight states served by the DRA. That plan can be found at www.dra.gov.

Last fall, a series of public meetings was held to discuss the multimodal plan, which builds on the work done when the Delta Development Highway System plan was created.

“The most recent national highway act mandated a study of the multimodal transportation assets and needs in this region,” said Pete Johnson of Clarksdale, Miss., the DRA’s federal co-chairman. “We’re required by Congress to consult with local and state governments and then develop a report that determines the priorities, costs, benefits and expected outcomes. Completing a comprehensive strategic plan for such a large area requires a great deal of coordination.”

The multimodal plan will address aviation, passenger rail service, freight rail service, highways and waterways. The plan must be presented to the administration and Congress by July.

Upcoming public meetings are scheduled for:

– Friday, March 28, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. in meeting rooms A and B of the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center at 211 W. Third St. in Pine Bluff, Ark.

– Monday, March 31, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. in the Ridgelake Room of the Memphis Hilton at 939 Ridge Lake Blvd.in Memphis, Tenn.

– Tuesday, April 8, from 10 a.m. until noon in the Glenn Auditorium of Dempster Hall on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

– Wednesday, April 9, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. in the conference room of the Purchase Area Development District headquarters at 1002 Medical Drivein Mayfield, Ky.

– Friday, April 18, from 10 a.m. until noon in the Crisp Room on the campus of John A. Logan College in Carterville, Ill.

All meetings are open to the public. Those planning to participate are asked to send an e-mail to Bevin Hunter of the DRA staff at bhunter@dra.gov and notify her of which meetings they will attend.