WILLMAR — Members of the public, transportation stakeholders, local government officials and others are invited to discuss the updated state's long-range transportation plan.

Officials from the Minnesota Department of Transportation, including Commissioner Tom Sorel, Deputy Commissioner Khani Sahebjam and District Engineer Dave Trooien, will present the update to the state's 20-year transportation plan from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, July 10, at Kandiyohi County Health & Human Services, 2200 23rd St. N.E., Willmar.

"This update includes all major modes of transportation including transit, freight, rail, air, ports and waterways," Sorel said. "We are striving to develop and maintain a transportation system in Minnesota that safely meets the needs of Minnesota citizens. I am hopeful people can attend to give us their perspective on transportation issues."

The meeting includes information about the plan's 10 new policy areas, the impacts that the 2008 transportation funding legislation and Legislative Auditor's recommendations will have on the plan, and an open discussion about these and other transportation issues.

Mn/DOT's long-range plan is updated every six years. The public's input will be incorporated in the final 2009-2028 Statewide Transportation Plan, which will be presented to the Minnesota State Legislature in 2009.

Among the other MnDOT area meetings scheduled are ones at the St. Cloud Conference Center, July 14, and at the Mankato Best Western Hotel, July 28. Both are from 12:30 to 4 p.m.

(Terry Davis is a Hutchinson Leader staff writer. E-mail him at davis@hutchinsonleader.com [2].)