Special to The Leader

BEAUMONT — The South East Texas Regional Planning Commission (SETRPC) will host a series of public meetings beginning Monday, November 14, 2016, providing citizens in Jefferson, Orange and Hardin Counties the opportunity to learn about and comment on the Revised JOHRTS 2017-2020 TIP Amendment #1 and the Revised JOHRTS MTP 2040 Amendment #5. “This is an opportunity for the public to be directly involved in the process and have their voices heard as we make recommendations to address transportation-related issues that are affecting the southeast Texas region. Public input is an essential part of this process and we want to make sure the needs of our region are properly addressed,” says Bob Dickinson, Director of Transportation and Environmental Resources for SETRPC.

The 32-day public comment period is being held October 21 through November 21, 2016. The public is encouraged to attend a meeting or provide written comments by 5:00 PM, November 21, 2016. Four public meetings will be held in Beaumont, Lumberton, Orange, and Port Arthur at the following locations:

Monday, November 14, 2016 – 3 p.m.

SETRPC Office, 2210 Eastex Freeway, Beaumont, TX

Tuesday, November 15, 2016 – 3 p.m.

Lumberton City Hall, 836 North Main Street, Lumberton, TX

Wednesday, November 16, 2015 – 3 p.m.

City of Orange Public Library, 200 5th Street, Orange, Texas

Thursday, November 17, 2015 – 3 p.m.

City of Port Arthur Public Library, 4615 9th Avenue, Port Arthur, TX

These meetings are designed to solicit the public’s ideas and input on proposed transportation improvement projects planned for the southeast Texas area. All meetings are the same and are not restricted to a specific area. The public is strongly encouraged to be an active part of this process by selecting a meeting day and time that fits their schedule. For more information or for special needs requests (48 hours), please contact Bob Dickinson at (409) 899-8444 extension 7520 or bdickinson@setrpc.org.

SETRPC is designated as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Jefferson-Orange-Hardin Regional Transportation Study (JOHRTS) area. SETRPC, in conjunction with the Texas Department of Transportation, local governments and other interested parties, facilitates the regional multi-modal transportation planning process.