Meeting kicks off update to Connected KC 2050 plan

May 25, 2023
| Posted in
Transportation
Group of people sitting at tables

Members of MARC committees gather to set direction for long-range plan

MARC invited members of the Total Transportation Policy Committee, Air Quality Forum, Sustainable Places Policy Committee and the Climate and Environment Council to a kickoff meeting for the update to Connected KC 2050, the region’s long-range metropolitan transportation plan. The plan sets a regional vision for our transportation system and guides spending by identifying projects we seek to advance over the next 30 years.

More than 60 people attended to learn about the update process and share their feedback on goals and strategies.

Through interactive polling, we found nearly universal agreement on maintaining a focus on access to opportunity, public health and safety, and economic vitality. There was general agreement, with slight dissent, about maintaining a focus on healthy environment and transportation choices.

Layer Title
How important are these policy goals to you?
Table
Participants were asked to rate the importance of the Connected KC 2050 goals
Public health and safety Access to opportunity Economic vitality Healthy environment Transportation choices
Extremely important 54% 60% 54% 54% 35%
Very important 42% 34% 35% 25% 35%
Neutral 2% 4% 6% 17% 14%
Somewhat important 6% 2% 6% 4% 12%
Not at all important 0% 0% 0% 0% 4%

Most respondents supported a continued focus on five recurring strategies — centers and corridors, climate protection and resilience, new funding sources, prioritize investments, and data and technology.

More than a quarter of respondents believe our region is doing a good job implementing these strategies, and we should continue to do so.

Layer Title
How should we approach existing strategies?
Table
Participants were asked how to approach existing strategies
Centers and corridors Data and technology Climate protection and resilience Prioritized investments New funding mechanisms
Concentrate here 64% 55% 60% 51% 75%
Sustain and reinforce 27% 33% 22% 42% 22%
Keep up the good work 4% 5% 7% 7% 2%
Watch and monitor 5% 7% 11% 0% 2%

We also heard a need for increased outreach and engagement with smaller and rural areas and towns within the MARC region. Some attendees emphasized making our work more relevant to these smaller communities.

Next steps

MARC will incorporate this feedback into the plan update process. The next steps include launching a public survey, holding online meetings and pop-up events in each MARC county, and making presenters available for community meetings. If you’d like MARC staff to present at your upcoming meeting, contact us.

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