MACOG project list open for review

Yahoo

23-03-2025

ELKHART — Public feedback is being gathered on two long-range plans that guide tens of millions of dollars of transportation spending in four counties.
The review and comment period for both the 2025-2029 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and the 2026-2030 Transportation Improvement Plan runs from now to April 4. Both plans are developed by the Michiana Area Council of Governments to meet federal requirements and help guide spending.
'The first one, the (CEDS), outlines different strategies and efforts and goals and plans, etc., so that we can access funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration,' said MACOG Director James Turnwald. 'The (TIP) outlines how federal transportation dollars will be spent in this region and allows us to access those. Both of these are foundational documents that are required under federal law that allow our region to access different types of federal funds.'
An open house to gather input on the 2029 CEDS and the 2030 TIP is set for Monday from 3 to 4:40 p.m. at the Greater Elkhart Chamber. A second open house will be April 2 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the St. Joseph County Public Library, Community Learning Center Classroom D.
Drafts of both plans can be viewed at engage.macog.com.
The TIP provides information on the schedule of multimodal transportation projects that are federally funded or deemed significant to the MACOG region. The list of projects is developed in cooperation with the Indiana Department of Transportation, regional transit providers, member jurisdictions and the public.
Projects in Elkhart County listed in the TIP range from countywide bridge inspection programs at a cost of more than $500,000 apiece to the reconstruction of C.R. 17 between C.R. 38 and C.R. 142, at an estimated total cost of $42.5 million. The list also covers expenses including replacement bus purchases, road and sidewalk repair and bridge replacements.
The TIP must be cooperatively developed every two years and must be compatible with the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, according to information from MACOG. The program must be fiscally constrained, meaning only the amount of funding that can be reasonably anticipated is programmed and relates to the Michiana on the Move: 2050 Transportation Plan.
The CEDS serves as a five-year plan which analyzes regional assets and challenges, forms a shared vision for economic prosperity and details strategies to achieve regional goals, according to information from MACOG. Strategies focus on areas such as fostering higher education and community partnerships, improving access and connectivity, which includes infrastructure and broadband, and cultivating communities that are characterized by economic vitality and quality of life.
The plan looks at population growth, employment, housing, education attainment and other factors. Regular performance reports track and record progress toward achieving CEDS objectives.