Southeast Missourian

Two opportunities will be available Thursday for the public to comment on a regional transportation plan by the Southeast Metropolitan Planning Organization, also known as SEMPO. The public input sessions will focus on the 2016-2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan. SEMPO calls the plan “Southeast Missouri’s first regional, long-range transportation plan.” Developing the plan was a cooperative effort between SEMPO, the Missouri and Illinois departments of transportation, natural resource agencies, local elected officials, not-for-profit organizations, private agencies and area residents. It contains recommendations for future transportation improvements and identifies unfunded and funded projects. These include upgrades or additions to roads, bridges, sidewalks and airports. Jackson will host the first meeting from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at its city hall and the second meeting will follow at the Osage Centre in Cape Girardeau from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Each public input session will feature an open-house style. SEMPO covers the Cape Girardeau/Jackson urbanized area that includes portions of Cape Girardeau and Scott counties, as well as portions of East Cape Girardeau and Alexander County in Illinois. It’s federally mandated and funded. The Metropolitan Transportation Plan, which is still in draft form pending public input, is available at southeastmpo.org/planning-documents.