Henry County holds public review of draft active transportation plan funded by USDOT program

Ben Tripp, planner with the Berkeley Group, presented the draft Henry County Active Transportation Plan during the Board of Supervisors meeting on May 27, 2025, and asked the public to review materials at an open house immediately following the meeting.

The draft plan, funded through the U.S. Department of Transportation Thriving Communities program, sets a vision and goals to increase walking, bicycling and other human-powered travel in the county and identifies priority projects and strategies to improve safety, connectivity and accessibility.

"The plan itself establishes a framework for supporting and expanding the county's active transportation options," Tripp said. He told the board the planning process included staff meetings, an advisory committee, focus groups, mapping of existing conditions (including accident and traffic counts), and public engagement through the county comprehensive-plan outreach.

Tripp summarized public input and plan priorities: broad support for multimodal transportation, demand for sidewalks, bike lanes and transit access for residents without cars and for older adults and youth, interest in recreation trails and greenways, and concerns about safety and lack of connectivity on higher-speed rural roads without shoulders. He said the plan contains a vision statement and three goals: enhance connectivity, prioritize safety and support economic growth and quality of life.

"Henry County will have a safe, accessible, and connected network of walking and bicycling routes that fosters healthier lifestyles, supports economic growth and prosperity for all residents… and enhances recreational tourism," Tripp read as the draft vision developed with the advisory committee and the public.

Tripp directed the board and the public to chapter 1 for an executive-summary-style list of priority projects, then to chapters 2–5 for existing conditions, public engagement results, network recommendations and implementation guidance, including an implementation matrix that assigns likely implementers and funding ideas. He said the draft plan and priority map are posted online and on display in Room 3 for the open house.

No formal vote was taken during the presentation; Tripp said the Berkeley Group will incorporate public comments from the open house and finalize the plan for the board's consideration.

Board members thanked the project team and encouraged residents to review the exhibits and the draft document during the open-house period.

The board did not take formal action at the meeting; staff said they will return the final draft for adoption after public input is incorporated.