Mayor Weinberger at a roundtable discussion at the TRC

What is Mayor Miro Weinberger’s vision for the future of transportation in Burlington?  On November 13, the Burlington Mayor visited the TRC for a roundtable discussion with faculty and staff followed by a public lecture at Billings North Lounge, which was attended by many transportation stakeholders in the community.  While Weinberger’s top priority remains achieving financial stability for the city, he still sees many options open for improving transportation as well.  Highlights from the Mayor included:

·Progress on the plan to create a downtown transportation center, an indoor location to improve the transit experience for the many individuals who stop at or pass through the downtown area.

·Weinberger sees the Champlain Parkway as a means of reducing congestion by providing another route out of the city and   encouraging development along Pine Street

·The Mayor’s campaign promise of an interconnected bike network is one of his top priorities, to provide bike users with continuity in routes around the city.

· Investment in the waterfront area will total $20 to $30 million over the next 2.5 to 3.5 years, due to funding from Tax Increment Financing (TIF).

·The Mayor also believes it is important to increase the availability of housing downtown to encourage individuals to live in the city, which he notes will require regulation overhauls to improve conditions for investment.

The TRC greatly appreciates the Mayor taking the time to visit, share his plans, and take questions and comments from the public.  The discussion also provided many future opportunities for the TRC to coordinate with the city, from research studies to emissions reductions.  To watch the public lecture click here