Mobility Plan 2045 is the update to this region’s long-range transportation plan that is conducted every four years by the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization (TPO). The update allows the TPO to receive federal money for transportation projects in the region and ensures that the best long-term decisions for residents, employers, and visitors are made.
The TPO has launched a website for the project, which can be found at knoxmobility.org, which will host all information regarding the plan. The website currently includes a series of videos about different topics related to the plan, as well as a survey and a map that allow participants to share their opinions about transportation issues in the Knoxville Region. Those interested in learning more and staying up-to-date on the project are encouraged to visit the website and check back regularly for more opportunities to provide input.
“We’re eager to hear what residents have to say about the current state of transportation in the region,” said TPO Director Jeff Welch. “That input will help guide decision-making and ultimately impact which transportation projects rise to the top of the list when it’s time to fund them.”
The plan will look 25 years ahead, determining what is needed now in anticipation of what will be needed then. It is expected that within 25 years, approximately 183,000 new residents will call the region home, bringing the population to just over 1 million by 2045. While Knox County will continue to have the largest population, gaining another 95,000 residents, every county in the region will continue growing in population and employment.
The plan looks at several areas of interest, such as congestion, safety, health, land use, equity, and economic development. By digging into these and other topics, the TPO will attempt to uncover ways to make the transportation system safer and more efficient, improve the health of residents and reduce air pollution, improve links among transportation modes, infrastructure and development, and address equal access to benefits and opportunities.
Digging into these issues produces a big picture look at the region, helping prioritize transportation projects that accommodate all modes with a variety of different project types. Once these projects are identified in Mobility Plan 2045, they will start to move through the project development process. Projects can take 5, 10, or even 20 years to complete, which is why planning is needed early in the process.
