Rankin appointed to transportation planning group

Rankin Sept. 8 was named to Missouri Advance Planning, a newly formed statewide transportation group. The group is responsible for long-term statewide transportation planning.

“Our MAP initiative will be the beginning of a statewide dialogue on what the state’s transportation system could and should do for its citizens, and how best to fulfill those expectations,” said MoDOT Director Pete Rahn in a news release.

“Most importantly, MAP will produce a collaborative vision for Missouri’s transportation system and the building blocks for developing a shared action plan,” he added.

Rankin joins 20 other members in the southwest Missouri group, one of six groups across the state.

“This is going to lead to an opportunity to improve transportation around that state, and I’m glad they’re reaching out around the state to involve partners from both urban and rural areas,” Rankin said.

A logical choice

Branson Public Information Director Jerry Adams said he’s not surprised Rankin was chosen for this new position.

“He’s very involved in several state economic groups, and he has distinguished himself as an aggressive economic developer who has the city of Branson and the state of Missouri economies as a priority,” Adams said.

While all topics related to transportation and infrastructure are up for discussion, Rankin said he’d like to see more talk about incorporating pedestrians and bicyclists into the transportation system.

“We don’t have an organized mass transit system here in Branson – we’re dependent on the hotels and the excellent road system that we have here,” he said.

“I think if we want to continue to bring people to this area, we’re going to have to look at other modes of moving people around.”

The group had its first meeting Sept. 14 in Jefferson City.

One of the tasks facing the groups is how to best appropriate new money transferred to the Missouri Department of Transportation after passage of Amendment 3 last November. That amendment took effect July 1 and is being phased in over four years.

The amendment redirects existing vehicle sales taxes, which were previously split between MoDOT and the state general revenue fund; those taxes now go entirely to MoDOT.

By the time it’s fully implemented in 2009, it will add up to $190 million annually to MoDOT’s budget.

Part of that money is being used to continue widening U.S. Highway 65 south to the Arkansas border.

That’s one project that Adams said will help Branson.

“We are definitely a drive-to destination, so we depend heavily on safe and convenient roads leading into our community,” he said.

“I hope they’ll continue monitoring the roads in this area.”

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