The Greater Hickory Metroplitan Planning Organization has published a Draft Long Range Transportation Plan as well as a Draft Conformity Analysis and Determination Report for Particulate Matter 2.5. The Draft Long Range Transportation Plan includes portions of Alexander, Burke, Caldwell and Catawba counties.

The public is invited to share their ideas and opinions on identified transportation projects included in the Draft Long Range Transportation Plan and Draft Conformity Analysis and Determination Report. The Plans provide an assessment of future area transportation needs, issues and recommendations, along with future transportation investment recommendations.

The public comment period will be open from Dec. 1, 2009, until Jan. 15, 2010. There also will be a public hearing held from 3-5 p.m., Jan. 15, 2010, at the Western Piedmont Council of Government offices. The maps and documentation for the draft plans are located for public review at the WPCOG offices, 736 Fourth Street, SW, Hickory NC, 28602 and online at http://trans.wpcog.org/planning.asp.

If you would like to comment, contact John Tippett (828-485-4237), john.tippett@wpcog.org; or John Marshall (828-485-4232), john.marshall@wpcog.org.