WACO, Texas — Despite the year being so far away today, Waco leaders are putting together a plan for what the city's future could look like in 2050.
From a high-speed transit system to a nine-mile corridor project to help with natural disasters, there are many directions that the city's future can go. That's why Waco's Metropolitan Planning Organization is hosting a series of public meetings to talk about their plan for 2050.
By that year, it's projected that between 300,000 and 400,000 people will call McLennan County home, and those people will need a way to get around.
To keep up with the demand and growth, the city is discussing several long-term roadway improvement projects.
"One of which is about to become quite important on Hewitt Drive," Waco's Metropolitan Transportation Plan Director, Mukesh Kumar, said. "So, we are going to try to figure out what do we need to do to address the traffic on Hewitt Drive to the best extent possible so that we can accommodate the children who are crossing on Midway ISD."
Additionally, there's been discussion about a hyperloop, or a shuttle that travels on magnetic rails, similar to a train. It would stretch from Fort Worth in North Texas to Laredo in South Texas, with a stop in Waco.
Brandy Abel lives in the area and works with people who have special needs. She says transportation is the key to their success. She's excited about what's in the works.
"It's not just people with disabilities, but it's, you know, the everyday person that just needs to get from point A to point B and every day these systems are improving, and we're really help to be a part of the growth in Waco," said Abel.
The last public meeting will be held next week, on Tuesday, Oct. 15 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the South Waco Recreation Center.
More information on the plan can be found here.