Chariton Valley Planning and Development to host DOT event

(Photo: Tracy Daugherty Miller welcomes representatives from nearly 80 counties from five southern Iowa Regional Planning Affiliations and five northern Missouri Regional Planning Councils at a recent Missouri/Iowa Peer Review.)

(southern Iowa) – Transportation planners representing nearly 80 counties from five southern Iowa Regional Planning Affiliations and five northern Missouri Regional Planning Councils converged in Centerville last week to share with each other successful transportation planning strategies.

Chariton Valley Planning and Development hosted the event at the request of the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT).

Amanda Martin, transportation planner with IDOT's Office of Systems Planning says the peer review far exceeded her expectations. "I believe both states benefited from the peer sharing and that each participant left with a better understanding of how each state approaches the regional transportation planning process."

The event was facilitated by Dave Plazak with the Iowa State University Transportation Research Department. Plazak said since this event was the first of it's kind that he has participated in, he wasn't sure what to expect but was extremely pleased with the outcome.

"Hopefully, this becomes an annual event as what took place here today could serve as model for other areas of the state," says Plazak.

Chariton Valley Planning and Development Executive Director, Tracy Daugherty Miller and Appanoose County Engineer, Jim Armstrong shared unique transportation strategies currently underway in the Chariton Valley Transportation Planning Affiliation seven county area.

While transportation planning strategies that were shared at the event varied, the primary objective of each represented area was identifying priorities.

"You find out real quick the importance of identifying priorities when you have $186 million worth of needs and only $3 million in funds," Armstrong says.

For more information, contact Chariton Valley Planning and Development Executive Director, Tracy Daugherty Miller, 641.437.4359.