Branson Considers Transportation Alternatives

Branson considers transportation alternatives
By SBJ Staff
3/7/2006

Branson is holding a public meeting this week to consider transportation improvements – including a possible “sky train” – to alleviate traffic congestion.

The meeting will be held 4:30–6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Municipal Courtroom in Branson City Hall, 110 W. Maddux. The public is invited to the “open house” meeting to review proposed transit alternatives and provide input.

The meeting is part of a transit study that began in 2004 when Branson received a $450,000 federal grant, used to hire consultant and study leader Jacobs Civil Inc. The study will produce an Alternatives Analysis/Draft Environmental Impact Statement at the end of this year.

At Thursday’s meeting, the public will be able to review the results of a 2005 travel patterns survey of Branson’s visitors, employers, employees and attractions; learn about proposed transit alternatives and express their preferences; and discuss the potential ridership of each alternative.

Jacobs has begun to detail the city’s transit alternatives, and choices include creating a Transportation System Management alternative or a series of build alternatives.

The Transportation System Management option would provide a shuttle bus service on Main Street and Route 76, as well as several loop bus service routes on the city’s color-coded streets.

The build alternatives include adding bus routes and a 6.5-mile elevated fixed guideway system, or “sky train,” with 11 stations, or adding bus routes and a 7.5-mile guideway system with 13 stations.

According to Jacobs’ pre-study report, Route 76 remains a major travel artery that cannot be widened easily and is constrained by its pedestrian-unfriendly environment. There is currently no public transit system available in Branson.

“Avoided trips ultimately translate to reduced business revenues and fewer jobs, because the inability to easily and reliably get to venues reduces paying customers and diminishes visitor potential,” according to Jacobs’ pre-study report.

In addition to the open house meeting, the city has plans to gather input several other ways. A Project Oversight Committee has been established that includes representatives from the city’s Transportation Advisory Committee, the city’s hospitality industry, the tourism industry, downtown representatives, property owners and the development community. Also, federal, state and local resource agencies will be invited to several meetings to review the study as it develops.