Subject: MAG given award for transit plan 
Date: Friday, July 14, 2006 5:23 PM

Friends,

In 2004, Friends of Transit sent you numerous e-mails informing and
educating our readers about Proposition 400 - the Regional
Transportation Plan.  We also had a link on our website
(www.friendsoftransit.org) that would take you to the Maricopa
Association of Governments (MAG) to learn about the plan.  We were
impressed with the plan they had developed and wanted people to learn
more about it.

As you all probably know, the voters overwhelmingly approved that plan
in November, 2004 - so obviously, the voters agreed it was a good plan.

We wanted to let you know that this plan, and the planning process is
still getting notoriety.  You will note in the article below that the
Maricopa Association of Governments has received a national award from
the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration
for its development of the 20-year Regional Transportation Plan.

Congratulations to our Friends at MAG for an award that is well
deserved.  Keep up the good work!

David

  _____  

MAG given award for transit plan 

Bob Golfen 
The Arizona Republic 
Jul. 14, 2006 12:00 AM 

 

The Maricopa Association of Governments has received a national award
from the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit
Administration for its development of the 20-year Regional
Transportation Plan. 

A national Transportation Planning Excellence Award in the category of
Planning Leadership was presented to MAG during the Transportation
Research Board's joint summer meeting of the Planning, Economics,
Environment, Finance, Freight and Management Committees in La Jolla,
Calif. MAG Executive Director Dennis Smith attended the awards program.

The Regional Transportation Plan, approved by Maricopa County voters
with a half-cent sales tax in November 2004, sets goals and priorities
for 20 year's worth of freeway, highway and transit improvements. The
plan was forged through a collaboration of MAG planners and local
government and business leaders. 

According to the winning nomination, planning and leadership were
crucial elements needed in getting public support for the $16 billion
Regional Transportation Plan, including legislative endorsement and
voter approval of the half-cent sales tax to help fund it. 

"The MAG regional plan was the result of the unique partnership of local
and state officials, the business community and the public," said Bob
Hollis, federal highway division administrator. "More than 100
nominations were received for this year's awards program, so this is
truly a remarkable achievement."