Four public meetings will take place on Wednesday and Thursday about inter-county and intercity transit service opportunities in southeast Minnesota.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation will host meetings in Red Wing, Northfield, Albert Lea and Winona to discuss how transit might be developed to meet the needs of residents, businesses, institutions and human service providers. A MnDOT planning team will present findings from its travel study and let community members know how they can provide input as the study moves into its final phase.

The meetings are from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Red Wing City Hall, 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Northfield City Hall, 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Albert Lea Transit Center and 5 to 7  p.m. Thursday at Winona Family Community Center.

Southeast Minnesota residents are also invited to join the planning team for a project webinar at 3 p.m. March 21. The webinar, accessible by computer or phone, will include a presentation of the study findings and allow for questions and answers about the service alternatives. Interested persons can go to global.gotomeeting.com/join/142366741. For audio only, dial 877-309-2073 and use access code 142-366-741.

Overall population growth in the 11 counties is expected to average 15 percent in the next 30 years. Olmsted County’s population is projected to grow by 22 percent.

More information is available on the project website at www.mndot.gov/transit/reports/system-studies/southeast-mn-travel.html.