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How are we doing?
MPO Federal Certification Review
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Its
 time for our Federal Certification Review, and we need you to weigh in on the transportation planning process!
Please join our Federal Certification Review Team in evaluating how the MPO is doing at a public meeting scheduled on:
Wednesday, April 12, 2017 @ 10:00a
in the Planning Commission Boardroom on the 18th floor of the County Center (immediately following our MPO Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting)
If you can not attend, but would like to provide public comments, please use a
comment form.
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Hillsborough MPO Vulnerability Assessment cited as national model
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The FHWA is helping state and local governments adapt to the effects of climate change. In 2013-2015, nineteen pilot teams from across the country received grants from FHWA to assess transportation vulnerability to extreme weather events and climate change, and evaluate options for improving resilience.
Hillsborough MPO's findings are being used as a national model in
this recently released
FHWA overview.
As a result of this important study, the MPO was invited to speak at the Transportation Research Board (TRB) "Future Interstate Study" Listening Session in Miami, FL. The Future Interstate Study is a policy study on the future of the US interstate highway system over the next 50 years. Topics include environmental impact and sustainability, human environment and equity, toll financed reconstruction and modernization, and public transit and the interstate highway system.
"There is interest in the MPO study because we laid out what to do, and where to start. For example, if bridge approaches can get washed out by a major storm, disaster recovery is harder and longer. We prioritized the weak spots in our system and estimated what it would cost how to prevent future problems," said Allison Yeh, MPO Sustainability Coordinator. Mainstreaming resiliency into existing efforts like the Imagine 2040 Transportation Plan and the Selmon West Extension Project, is a FHWA best practice and a way to save money long-term.
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Share your vision
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Please join us for the Innovation Gateway community engagement meeting on April 12, 2017, 5:30-7:30p at MOSI, 4801 E Fowler Avenue in the Coleman Science Works 3D Theatre. Learn more about the I-275 | Fowler and Busch - Innovation Gateway Concept Studies. View and comment on draft interchange vision boards and weigh in on the Fowler Avenue streetscape.
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Interested in traffic counts?
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The MPO maintains a consolidated database of current and historical traffic counts for all major roads. Check out our new interactive map!
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Extending Plant City's street network
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Sam Allen Rd currently terminates at N Wilder Rd in Plant City
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The Hillsborough MPO is conducting two corridor studies to address transportation issues in and around the Plant City. The first is a look at extending east Sam Allen Road from North Park Road to North County Line Road where significant population growth is expected prior to 2040. This would provide an alternative route to the already congested Interstate-4. The need for this new roadway link was first identified in the June 2008
Northeast Plant City Master Plan.
The second study looks at extending Rice Road from Coronet Road to South County Line Road. Continued industrial growth is expected in this area and the need for the roadway was noted in the MPO's 2016
Freight Logistics Zone Study. The new connection will strengthen economic ties to rapidly growing western Lakeland, where Amazon recently built a distribution center. For more information contact
Bud Whitehead at 813/272-5940 x313.
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MLK Blvd intersection to get safety fixes
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The Florida Department of Transportation District Seven is designing improvements to SR 574 (E Martin Luther King Blvd) at SR 583 (50th St). The scope of this project includes widening E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd at 50th Street to add a westbound right turn lane and bike lane. An ADA curb ramp replacement, new pedestrian traffic signal poles, and reconfiguration of sidewalks are included as well. This design is 60% complete, but construction is currently not funded. The design cost estimate is $105,000, and construction is estimated at $250,783.
All comments and concerns should be addressed to Mr. Liyanage "Indike" Ratnayake, PE, the Department's Project Manager, toll free at 1-800-226-7220, or 813/975-6057.
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Selmon West
Extension update
THEA wants to hear from you!
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Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA)
is committed to keeping you informed about the
Selmon Extension
. Already in 2017, THEA made presentations to and answered questions for the Bayside West, Culbreath Key, and R
egency Cove.
If you live near Gandy Boulevard and would like THEA to speak to your homeowner, neighborhood, or civic association, please contact:
[email protected]
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FDOT's Complete Streets policy and
implementation
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The Florida Department of Transportation adopted a
Complete Streets policy in 2014 that promotes safety, quality of life, and economic development in Florida. To implement this policy, the FDOT's
Complete Streets Implementation Plan will deliver by routinely planning, designing, constructing, reconstructing, and operating a context-sensitive system of complete streets. While maintaining safety and mobility, implementation of complete streets will serve the transportation needs of users of all ages and abilities, including but not limited to:
cyclists, freight handlers, motorists, pedestrians, and transit riders.
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4-way stop coming to dangerous Ruskin intersection
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Evidence of crashes litters the curbside at 24th Street and Shell Point Road in Ruskin. A headlight, a turn signal, a license plat
 e holder and other pieces of crashes left behind, but finally solutions will be coming along. County work crews are turning the two-way stop into a four way stop. Check out the
full story from ABC Action News.
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Senators try to speed up self driving cars
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ICYMI -
WASHINGTON (AP) - announced the first major congressional attempt to address the advent of self-driving cars. Two senators said in February they're launching a bipartisan effort to help to speed up the deployment of the vehicles on the nation's roads.
Republican John Thune of South Dakota, the chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Democrat Gary Peters of Michigan, said they're exploring legislation that "clears hurdles and advances innovation in self-driving vehicle technology."
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 Solar Roadways® (SR) is a modular system of specially engineered solar panels that can be walked and driven upon. The panels contain LED lights to create lines and signage without paint. They contain heating elements to prevent snow and ice accumulation. The panels have microprocessors, which makes them intelligent. This allows the panels to communicate with each other, a central control
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Solar FREAKIN' Roadways video
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station, and vehicles. Many people are surprised to learn that the panels are made of glass... but not ordinary glass. SR panels are made of specifically formulated tempered glass, which can support the weight of semi-trucks. The glass has a tractioned surface which is equivalent to asphalt. They are still in the early phase of the company's development. Eventually the panels will be available for highways, but first will come non-critical applications such as driveways and parking lots. Solar Roadways are readying to install the first projects now.
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 Making the Case for
Transportation Language Reform:
Removing Bias
by Ian Lockwood, P.E.
Many cities are now contending with the consequences of 50-years of automobile-oriented design. At the same time, values and expectations are evolving. Increasingly, people want high-performance transportation infrastructure that achieves a number of functions-accommodating people who walk, cycle, take transit, and drive cars for equity and economic reasons. There is a growing awareness that reducing automobile speeds increases safety and comfort, while contributing to community vitality and quality of life.
Continue reading
in the January 2017 ITE Journal.
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ePublications & eNews from our agency are always associated with an email address ending in: @plancom.org |
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Announcements
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Tampa Bay TMA Leadership
Friday, April 7
9:30a
AECOM Conference Room 7650 West Courtney Campbell Causeway
Fowler Ave & Innovation Gateway Public Workshop
Wednesday, April 12
5:30pm - 7:30 pm
MOSI
4801 E Fowler Ave
Tampa, FL 33617
Wesley Chapel -
New Tampa Roadway Connections Study by Pasco MPO
Tuesday, April 18
5:30p - 7:30p
State College
2727 Mainsfield Blvd
VISION ZERO
Action Plan
Workshop #3
Tuesday, April 25
8:30a Coffee social
9:00a - 10:00a
Paint Bullard Pkwy Bridge
Bike Lane
10am - 11am
Draft Action Plan
Review & Feedback
Meet @ Temple Terrace Presbyterian Church
420 Bullard Parkway
Temple Terrace
InVision:
Tampa Streetcar
Results Round Table
Tuesday, May 2
5:30p - 7:30p
Tampa Bay History Center
801 Old Water Street
Tampa, FL 33602
Regional Transportation Planning & Coordination
Best Practices Study
Kick-Off Workshop
Friday, May 12
10:00a - 2:00p
Collaborative Labs
St. Petersburg College
13805 58th Street North
Clearwater, FL 33760
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Upcoming
MPO Board &
Committee
Meetings
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MPO Board :
601 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa
County Center, 2nd Floor
Committees:
Plan Hillsborough Room
County Center, 18th Floor
Date
Meeting
April 12 CAC
April 12 BPAC
April 13 ITS
April 17 TAC
April 19 LRC
April 19 STWG
April 25 Vision Zero
April 27 TDCB
May 2 MPO Board
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| The MPO does not discriminate in any of its programs or services. Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status. Learn more about our commitment to nondiscrimination. |
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