CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The complete Regional Transportation Plan from the Corpus Christi Metropolitan Planning Organization estimates the area will see a population increase of 155,000 people over the next 25 years, which will require around $12 billion worth of transportation projects.
The Transportation Policy Committee -- made up of local leaders -- signed-off on the final portions of the plan Thursday, clearing the way for a public-comment period.
"We do a technical analysis, but we also want to hear from the citizens of what they see out there," MPO Transportation Planning Director Robert MacDonald said. "Where are the issues that they see in transportation, whether it's roadway or transit, or whatever the transportation dilemma they may face?"
The MPO consulted with the state and federal government to come up with this long-term transportation plan. It also reaches out to local governments in the Corpus Christi area and local chambers of commerce. That allows them access to future plans for things such as utilities, business, and housing, so they can construct roads accordingly.
"We work with them to come up with the details, and then we build the infrastructure around that to make sure that we are connecting the employment centers and the residential centers -- all the different types of uses that we have in the region," MacDonald said.
You can view and comment on the plan by clicking here. The plan includes maps that show how many people live in each part of the area, and where new residents will likely choose to live. Parts of the community that have hot housing markets right now are anticipated to continue having them.
"You can see the existing trend for population -- still the south side, things on the west, up in San Patricio County," MacDonald said. "The spread is around where existing development is. We don't think that trend is going to change any time soon, but we update our plan every five years. So we'll take another look at it in five years."
In addition to viewing and commenting on the plan online, you also can call the MPO at 361-884-0687.
A public meeting/open house also is planned so residents can give opinions in person. That event is set for 4:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14 at the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority Staples Street Center in the second floor boardroom.
