Learn about the different transit initiatives underway, and how they are working together to build a Regional Transit Vision for Tampa Bay at the Regional Transit Forum on Friday, July 20 from 1pm to 7pm at Tampa Airport Marriott. Park in Tampa International Airport's Short Term Garage, and bring your parking ticket into the event to be validated. Better yet, take transit to the Regional Transit Forum! Grab your ride aboard PSTA's Route 300X and HART's Routes 30, 32, 35, 60LX and 275LX. The Marriott is accessible from the Airport on the third floor between the red elevators.

 

The event agenda includes networking and an open house, transit discussions featuring a keynote address by Senator Bill Galvano, plus you can sign up for tours of the Airport's new Rental Car Center, transit curb, and an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the SkyConnect maintenance facility. Look for the Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Metropolitan Planning Organizations at the Forum. We'll be previewing the It's TIME Tampa Bay online survey that will take flight July 27 - September 30 at: itstimetampabay.org 

 

In the survey, we're seeking your thoughts on three very different transportation and growth scenarios. By completing the survey and leaving your email address, you'll be eligible for drawings for pairs of tickets to a Bucs or Lightning game! Survey results will help the three MPOs create the very first tri-county Long-Range Transportation Plan. We're also making the survey available through presentations to civic and business organizations, groups, clubs, and associations and have scheduled more than 50 groups throughout Hillsborough County. If you would like to add your group, please contact Johnny Wong at 813.273.3774 x370 .

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Plan to join us | Tickets on sale September 1 - October 19

Thursday, October 25, 2018 | Winners Announced

Visit event site for more info and sponsorship opportunities

On June 12, the MPO held a public hearing to receive public comment and ultimately approve the work program for Fiscal Years 2019 - 2023. This year, the TIP included numerous walk and bike safety projects including extension of the Green Spine Cycle Track to Ybor, continuation of the Heights Mobility Plan, and improvements on Kennedy Blvd between Westshore Blvd and Woodlynne Blvd. Transit funds were allocated for bus replacement and equipment upgrades. Funds were also allocated towards interchange improvements on I-75 at Gibsonton Dr and Big Bend Rd interchanges.   

The MPO-led Garden Steps collaboration helps neighborhoods in "food desert" areas expand community gardens and walk, bike, and transit access to them. Thanks to our partner, the City of Tampa, active transportation has been given another boost with the installation of five new pedestrian and bicycle wayfinding signs pointing the way to Tampa Heights Community Garden. These signs place value on pedestrian and bicycle travel. Access to healthy food and the benefits of physical activity are a winning combination for Garden Steps and the Healthiest Cities and Counties Challenge!

Every summer, the chairs of six MPOs convene to agree on priority projects for the Florida Transportation Regional Incentive Program (TRIP) and regional trail and greenway grants such as Florida SUNTrail. At this year's meeting on Friday, July 13, Hillsborough County's project to improve the I-75/Big Bend Road interchange is proposed as #2 on the regional priority list for a TRIP grant. Hillsborough County is also proposing to add a second project to the candidate list: intersection improvements on SR 60 (Brandon Boulevard) to improve safety and traffic flow. Candidate projects on the regional trail system include construction of portions of the South Tampa Greenway, Tampa Bypass Canal Trail, and South Coast Greenway.

 

The meeting follows the MPO's June public hearing at which Hillsborough citizen comments were received on this year's priorities. Regionally significant projects are forwarded to the regional level for consideration of funding. The members of the TBARTA MPO Chairs Coordinating Committee represent Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Hernando/Citrus, and Sarasota/Manatee MPOs. For more information about the annual meeting of the MPO chairs, please visit the TBARTA website.

Like many urban areas, Tampa 's downtown is undergoing a renaissance.  With much of downtown  Tampa  on   the waterfront of the Bay and Hillsborough River, these areas are being transformed.  Mr. Shawn College, AICP, Executive Director of the Hillsborough River Interlocal Planning Board ,  recently joined a panel brought together by the Tampa Downtown Partnership to discuss  the activation of Tampa's waterfront and the importance the Hillsborough River plays in  development  in downtown  and the region.

 

"Vast areas of the river are surrounded by developed areas, like neighborhoods, where water washed from the roads finds its way into storm drains without treatment," said College . " T here are great success stories for the river, but we still need to remain vigilant  to  prevent fertilizers and other contaminants from entering the river. "

Plan Hillsborough provides value-added planning services through a diverse team of professionals working towards a thriving future for Tampa, Temple Terrace, Plant City, and Hillsborough County, and provides staff to the: