Speaking of Transportation...

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The workshop held at Waddell Elementary School on March 20th gave citizens of Lexington a chance to voice their opinions on issues concerning transportation. First order of business was an orientation that outlined some of the Lexington Planning Commission's ideas on the topic. However the main focus of the forum was the individual work sessions.

Each table centered on a specific transportation related category. The categories included downtown traffic and parking, walking and biking, parking and intersection issues outside of downtown, and car alternatives. Rockbridge Area Transportation System explored one car alternative, which would be the expansion of RATS.

The new system would resemble public transportation in other rural areas and would require new vans and more funding coming from the state and local government. Founder Joan Manley and Executive Director Tim Roots attended the Planning Commission's Workshop and participated in the dialogue.

Multiple tables brought the RATS expansion up in their conversation, and the general consensus was that Rockbridge County could benefit from the move towards public transportation. The system would operate on a deviated fixed route. This means that the vehicles would sometimes stray from the designated route in order to meet the needs of the riders.

Other important topics discussed at the workshop involved meeting the needs of school children, dealing with traffic from construction, and addressing problems that could result from the widening of Interstate -81. In regards to the I-81 issue, citizens were wary of the possible results, but didn't arrive at a resolution.

The workshop offered residents an outlet for discussing transportation issues with other members of the community as well as local government officials who have the power to make changes. However, if the ideas and suggestions are not given further consideration or put into action, then the workshop will not have been any more beneficial than one citizen privately criticizing transportation while caught in a traffic jam.