Volunteers sought to help finalize Bike-Ped Plan updates

By Brandi Makuski

Area municipalities are looking for citizen volunteers to assist in updating the county’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.

Stevens Point, Plover, Whiting, and Park Ridge were jointly awarded a $200,000 Multi-Jurisdictional Planning and Demonstration Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation last December. Under conditions of the grant approval process, the municipalities had to approve respective safety resolutions and now must create a task force and subcommittees to see the updates through.

Residents from Portage Co. are sought to fill the 15-member Task Force, a five-member Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Sub-Committee, and a five-member Demonstration Activity Subcommittee.

Kristen Johnson, a planner with Portage Co., said the Task Force will write the Safe Streets and Roads For All Safety Action Plan. Two subcommittees will support the task force, she said.

The updates will be guided by a currently unidentified consultant, who might be announced at a county Planning and Zoning Committee meeting later this month. Johnson said she couldn’t disclose the consultant’s identity or scope of work until the county’s contract with them was solidified.

The volunteer group will help develop plans that prevent deaths and serious injuries on roads throughout Portage County, Johnson added.

Volunteers will work alongside county and municipal staff and the consulting firm. Application forms and detailed role descriptions for the Task Force and subcommittee positions are available on the project website here.

Applications are due by June 28, with an anticipated kick-off meeting in July. Questions and completed applications can be directed to Johnson at 715-346-1334 or mailed to the Planning and Zoning Department, 1462 Strongs Avenue, Stevens Point, Wis. 54481.