2019 Lake of the Ozarks Regional Transportation Plan 1 Chapter 1 Introduction Study Organization The staff of Lake of the Ozarks Council of Local Governments (LOCLG) has produced this study with the advice and approval of the LOCLG Board of Directors and the LOCLG Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC). In 1969, an Executive Order of Missouri Governor Warren E. Hearnes led to the formation of the Lake of the Ozarks Council of Local Governments (LOCLG). Lake of the Ozarks Council of Local Governments serves a four-county region of Camden, Laclede, Miller, and Morgan Counties. In transportation- related matters, LOCLG has appointed the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC), a committee of members appointed by the commissioners of each county from around the region who have particular expertise and interest in local transportation issues. Appendix A lists the LOCLG Board of Directors and TAC members. Study Area As noted above, the Lake of the Ozarks region includes the counties of Camden, Laclede, Miller, and Morgan. The region is composed of 2,691 square miles and had a 2017 population of 125,387. Camden County is comprised of 709 square miles and has seven functioning municipalities1 (Camdenton, Climax Springs, Lake Ozark, Osage Beach, Sunrise Beach, and Village of Four Seasons). Camden County’s population in the 2010 Census was 44,002 and was 44,855 in the 2017 American Community Survey. The county had an assessed valuation in 2016 of $1,672,515,421. The county seat is Camdenton. Laclede County covers 768 square miles and has three functioning municipalities (Conway, Lebanon and Phillipsburg). The county had a 2017 population of 35,488. The county property valuation for 2016 was $420,415,890. The county seat is Lebanon. Miller County stretches across 600 square miles and has five functioning municipalities (Eldon, Iberia, Lake Ozark, St. Elizabeth, and Tuscumbia). The county had a 2017 population of 24,947. The county’s 2016 valuation was $409,184,604. The county seat is Tuscumbia. Morgan County is comprised of 614 square miles and has five functioning municipalities (Barnett, Laurie, Stover, Syracuse, and Versailles). The county had a 2017 population of 20,097. The county’s 2012 property valuation was $517,478,049. The county seat is Versailles. 1 The definition of a functioning municipality for purposes of this study is those that elected a board of aldermen or board of trustees. 1 Lake of the Ozarks Regional Transportation Plan 2019 The map to the left shows the four county region with the major communities and transportation routes therein. Relation of This Study to MoDOT Planning Framework For the last several years, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has made a concerted effort to implement a planning framework that includes the opinions and analysis of local elected officials and members of Missouri’s communities who have a knowledge and interest in the transportation program in Missouri. In rural Missouri, each regional planning commission formed a Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC). The TACs and their associated regional planning commissions are responsible for Figure 1.1 gathering and analyzing input from the public concerning transportation priorities for the region. The TAC has continued to update the priority list for the region, gathering public input for each county, and listening to citizen concerns at their bi-monthly meetings. As the region's developmental trends change, the Lake of the Ozarks TAC reviews those needs a number of times as MoDOT schedules priority projects in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Relationship of This Plan to Missouri’s Long Range Transportation Plan The submittal of this plan constitutes the region’s effort to inform MoDOT of the transportation priorities of the region for the next 10 years. The plan evolves according to the changes in public opinion, and MoDOT receives these revisions. The region’s representatives, in addition to submitting this plan, will work to make sure the region’s priorities are included in future revisions of the State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP). Planning Process Used To Develop Plan Lake of the Ozarks Council of Local Governments staff used the guidelines set forth by MoDOT to help guide the planning process. The Regional Planner started with the planning framework of the previous plan, and expanded it based upon the current needs of the region. With input gathered from the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, the planner followed existing goals and objectives already established by the region’s transportation stakeholders, as well as the general public. Discussions with TAC 2 Lake of the Ozarks Regional Transportation Plan 2019 representatives also contributed a significant amount of detail on specific projects that are included in the Regional Transportation Plan. The development of the RTP itself occurs in phases as well. Phase 1 includes the development of state highways, state and off-system bridges, airports, waterways, and ports. During Phase 2, the RTP expands to include county roads and bridges, available city transportation information and railroad information as available. Phase 3 finalizes the plan by filling in the gaps for local roads. Public input has been an important piece in the development of the LOCLG Regional Transportation Plan. The LOCLG staff has also pursued a proactive outreach philosophy by meeting with individual employees and officials of member communities in order to discuss transportation issues at the local level. LOCLG also maintains a website where information pertaining to ongoing projects is available to the public as well as feedback through electronic mail. You can visit our website and facebook page by clicking on the links below. http://www.loclg.org/ or at facebook.com Goals and Objectives It is the overarching goal of LOCLG to create a Regional Transportation Plan that represents an accurate depiction of current and projected population, employment, and land use trends. Collecting data and continuing public involvement will enable us to form a clear picture of the future needs of a transportation system for the central Missouri region that balances environmental quality, economic vitality, and equitable accessibility for all segments of the population. From the beginning of the local transportation planning effort in the Lake of the Ozarks region, the public and the region’s TAC have consistently considered several factors in ranking the region’s priorities. The factors considered to gage priorities are: • Reduction of congestion, travel delays and traffic hazards in the region • Support economic development efforts and development trends • Maintenance of the existing transportation system • Promoting all modes of transportation to ensure access for all region citizens Building on these four factors, the TAC has adopted the following goals and objectives. The goals represent broad targets for infrastructure investments while the objectives offer addressing specific ends. Within this framework, TAC members have acknowledged the need to work towards a resilient region. A resilient region capable of quickly recovering from economic downturns and natural disasters, and moving towards a position of reduced vulnerability. 3 Lake of the Ozarks Regional Transportation Plan 2019 1. Support the planning and development efforts within the region to provide an efficient, safe, and resilient transportation system* a. Identify improvements to key bottlenecks and segments of congestion to improve auto and freight traffic within the region b. Identify and address intersections, road segments, and other locations where accidents frequently or potentially occur c. Consider transportation solutions that reduce the frequency of road closures or repairs needed after natural or manmade disasters or events* 2. Support resilient economic development within our region through coordinated state and local transportation investments* a. Coordinate regional transportation planning with local comprehensive and economic planning activities to encourage orderly growth b. Promote the efficient movement of people and goods and services by linking the various modes of transportation serving the region c. Support transportation systems that contribute to rapid economic recovery of the region after natural or manmade disasters or events* d. Support transportation systems that can effectively adapt to changes in the structure of the local economy* e. Encourage transportation networks that contain modes of transportation attractive to each unique generation of workforce 3. Support the preservation of existing transportation systems within the region a. Encourage proactive maintenance plans for cities and counties in order to avoid greater replacement costs in the future b. Encourage existing transportation systems be updated in ways that reduce recovery time after natural or manmade disasters or events* c. Advocate for the repair of important critical-condition bridges throughout region * A Resiliency Goal or Objective In viewing these priorities, it should be noted that the Lake of the Ozarks region traditionally and consistently places high priority on those items that meet economic development needs and developmental trends. Due to the region’s fast-paced growth, essential priorities are those that tend to address growth rather than maintain the status quo. The region’s belief is that the highways that are already inadequate do little to meet the region’s needs even if adequately