SOUTH BEND — After a year of collaboration, data analysis and community engagement, the Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG) unveiled Move Safe Michiana – the Regional Transportation Safety Action Plan.
This comprehensive strategy addresses roadway safety in St. Joseph, Elkhart, Kosciusko and Marshall counties and is now available for public review and comment until June 9.
Funded in part by a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Action Plan uses data on fatal and serious injury crashes — including those involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians and horse and buggy — to identify high-injury and high-risk, according to a news release from MACOG. These findings will guide future infrastructure investments and policy decisions aimed at reducing — and ultimately eliminating — serious crashes and fatalities across the region.
“This plan is a significant step forward in our region’s commitment to safer streets for everyone — whether they drive, walk, bike or use other modes of transportation,” said James Turnwald, executive director at MACOG. “We need the public’s input to make sure we’ve gotten it right, and we can continue towards working as a community to eliminate life altering crashes.”
Public and stakeholder engagement played a central role in shaping the plan. Residents shared local knowledge about dangerous intersections, unsafe road designs and areas where they feel vulnerable. Now, MACOG is inviting the public to review the draft Action Plan and offer feedback before it is finalized.
Once adopted by the MACOG Policy Board, the Action Plan will unlock opportunities for local communities to apply for federal discretionary funds to implement targeted safety improvements.
Ways to Review and Participate
The draft plan will be available at areas libraries, MACOG’s office and on MACOG’s website at www.engage.macog.com/move-safe. Comments may be provided online, by phone at 574-287-1829, or through email at [email protected].
Public open houses will be held to give residents an opportunity to learn more and provide comments:
• Tuesday, May 28 from noon to 1 p.m.
St. Joseph County Library, 304 S. Main St., South Bend
Classroom C, Community Learning Center
• Wednesday, May 29 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, 418 S. Main St., Elkhart
The Michiana Area Council of Governments is a metropolitan planning commission serving Elkhart, Kosciusko, Marshall and St. Joseph counties in northern Indiana. The voluntary organization of local governments studies and attempts to resolve, for the benefit of each member and the region, areas of interlocal issues, which includes but is not limited to transportation, transit, economic development, environment and other issues that impact the region. To learn more, go to www.macog.com.