Wood-Washington-Wirt
Interstate Planning Commission
The Wood-Washington-Wirt Interstate Planning Commission (WWW) is the Metropolitan Planning Organization responsible for transportation planning activities within Wood County, West Virginia and portions of Washington County, Ohio including the Townships of Dunham, Fearing, Newport, Warren, Muskingum, Marietta and Belpre. According to the 2000 Census the total population in the two county area is 151,237.
WWW is responsible for responding to the planning provisions identified in the current federal transportation legislation known as the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The legislation establishes the parameters for carrying forward a “3C” planning process that is comprehensive, coordinated and continuing. From this process WWW is required to develop a multimodal long range transportation plan that is updated every four years to maintain a twenty year planning horizon. Consistent with the long range plan, WWW prepares a Biennial Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP documents projects that are programmed using federal funds within the study area over a four year period. Amendments and revisions to the TIP are considered on a quarterly basis as new or revised project information becomes available.
WWW is governed by a policy board that includes local elected officials as well as representatives from the West Virginia and Ohio Department of Transportation. Members on this board are the voting policy makers on all matters brought before the commission. The board also includes a technical advisory committee that includes city and county engineers, development officials, planning commissions, and representative from the various modes of transportation. This committee provides technical assistance and guidance to the policy board.
Public involvement plays an important role in the planning process. “We are a planning organization to serve the public explained WWW Transportation Director Randy Durst. “Our plans and programs are developed in response to input received from people in the areas we serve. We try to meet the needs of the communities through sound planning principles.”
Planning factors considered in the development of the long range plan are:
- Support economic vitality, global competitiveness, productivity and efficiency
- Increase transportation system safety for motorists and non-motorized users
- Increase transportation system security for motorists and non-motorized users
- Increase Accessibility and mobility options available to people and freight
- Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve quality of life, and promote consistency of the transportation plan and transportation improvements with state and local planned growth and economic development patterns.
- Enhance the integration and connectivity of all transportation systems
- Promote efficient system management and operation
- Emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system
The long range plan, along with traffic operations and safety studies, traffic counts and a variety of reports on air quality, environmental overviews, hazardous materials transportation studies, travel time-delay studies, and more are available at www.triplew.org.
Visit WWW's Web site!
Wood-Washington-Wirt Interstate Planning Commission Staff
Transportation Study Director
Randy Durst
Community Development Director
Fred Rader
Transportation Specialist
Tracy Higgins
Transportation/GIS Specialist
Vincent Post
