The MPOverview

February 2025

ARTICLES

• 2025 Transit Development Plan Annual Update - Adopted (TDP)
• Safe Streets for All Surveys - One Week Left! (SS4A)
• Notice of Temporary Traffic Shift I-95
• Hands Free Driving Resolution - Adopted
• GoLine Lowest Cost per Passenger Transit System in Florida (TC Palm Article)
• Monthly Safety Message - Speeding Response Times

2025 Transit Development Plan Annual Update - Adopted

Each year to remain eligible for state transit block grant funding, the MPO completes an update to its Transit Development Plan (TDP). The 2025 TDP Annual Update is a report card of the TDP Major update, which serves as a 10-year strategic plan for the transit system. The annual update assesses performance measures for the outlined goals, objectives, and adds a new 10th year to the TDP.

The 2025 TDP Annual Update highlights continued growth of the system to include a record of 1,360,000 passengers in FY 2024, expanded operating hours which includes a 20% increase in service, and capital improvements.

Please click on the photo above to read the Annual Update.

• As part of the SR 9/I-95 at County Road (CR) 606/Oslo Road New Interchange and CR 606/Oslo Road Widening Project, crews will implement a traffic shift by reducing the three-lane section of SR 9/I-95 in each direction to one lane between Indrio Road (Exit 138) and SR 60/20th Street (Exit 147). This lane reduction will occur nightly from Sunday through Thursday, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., beginning Sunday, March 9, through Thursday, March 13, to facilitate beam installation. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained via two constructed crossover lanes to facilitate the traffic shift. This reduction is necessary to safely perform roadway work and beam installation. The closures will not occur concurrently. If weather or unforeseen circumstances occur, the diversion will occur Sunday, March 16, through Thursday, March 20.

• Northbound motorists on SR 9/I-95 will be shifted to the southbound lanes at CR 606/Oslo Road bridge via the newly constructed crossover lane.

• Southbound motorists on SR 9/ I-95 will be shifted to the northbound lanes at CR 606/Oslo Road bridge via the newly constructed crossover lane.

• To ensure motorist and crew safety, the speed limit will be reduced from 70 MPH to 35 MPH. The Florida Highway Patrol will be onsite, and signage will be in place to assist motorists.

Hands Free Driving Resolution - Adopted

At the MPO's regularly scheduled meeting on February 12th, 2025, the Board adopted a resolution supporting hands free driving legislation. Driving without hands you say! No, not like that... So dear reader a bit of context:

Distracted driving is the leading cause of motor vehicle accidents in the United States. Moreover, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that texting while driving is six times more dangerous than driving under the influence. Though the State of Florida outlaws texting while driving, the law is written very narrowly in scope. Current state statute (F.L.S Chapter 316 Section 305) outlaws driving while texting, emailing, and utilizing instant messenger applications. The law does not go as far as to say you may not be holding your phone. Therefore, the current law is very difficult to enforce as proving that a motorist was actively texting and not utilizing a map feature and web applications are otherwise difficult.

Therefore, the MPO Board unanimously adopted a resolution which charges:

"The Board hereby expresses its strong support of legislation mandating the use of hands-free devices while driving and urges the Florida State Legislature to pass such legislation to enhance road safety and protect lives."



Hopefully this bill passes, but in the meantime, please drive safe.

TC Palm Article Highlighting GoLine

On February 20th, 2025, the Press-Journal newspaper (aka TCPalm) ran an article highlighting Indian River County's public transit system known as GoLine. The article highlighted that, at $3.23 operating expense for passenger trip, GoLine is the lowest in the state. The article discusses how the system compares with other systems and provides insights on why the system runs as efficiently as it does. To find out how GoLine does it, please read Nick Slater's article. (Link below)

All meetings, unless otherwise posted, will meet in Conference Room B1-501, County Administration Building B, 1800 27th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960

TDLCB Meeting: February 27, 2025 – 10:00 am

BPAC Meeting: March 25, 2025 - 2:00 pm

TAC Meeting: March 28, 2025 – 10:00 am

CAC Meeting: April 1, 2025 – 2:00 pm

MPO Meeting: April 9, 2025 – 10:00 am

Indian River County Metropolitan Planning Organization

1801 27th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960

772-226-1455 / Email / Website

For complaints, questions or concerns about civil rights or nondiscrimination or for special requests under the American with Disabilities Act, please contact: Cynthia Stanton, Title VI Coordinator at (772) 226-1287 or cstanton@indianriver.gov.

Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status. Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Brian Freeman at (772) 226-1455 or bfreeman@indianriver.gov at least seven days prior to the meeting.