What does the

future hold for Fayette's transportation system?

That's the

question the consulting firm of URS hopes to have answered by the beginning

of 2003.

The public

portion of the consultants' efforts started last Thursday as more than

50 residents showed up at the Fayette County Administrative Complex to

voice their concerns about transportation issues.

Fayette County

public works director Lee Hearn explained this was the first step in formulating

a transportation plan for the next 20 years.

URS project

manager Tim Preece explained the firm has just started gathering data

and would release preliminary findings in the fall.

The firm has

already gathered some data about accidents in the county, and so far the

intersections with the most accidents are Ga. Highway 314 and Ga. Highway

279.

Residents also

asked the firm to consider several items when creating the plan, including:

Bike lanes.

Better lighting

on roads.

More connecting

roads running north-south and east-west.

Public transportation,

including transportation within the county and transportation to Atlanta.

Preece told

the residents the company would hold another public meeting later in the

fall to provide an update on the plan.