| Nearly $3,461 million in Federal, State, Local Match, and Toll/Bond funds are planned for spending on transportation projects in the next five years, effective October 1, 2020. |
Tampa, FL – On the evening of Tuesday, June 30, 2020, the Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Board approved an amended TIP at its first ever virtual public hearing. After lengthy public comment and board discussion, the MPO voted 13 – 3 to approve the TIP as presented by staff with an amendment giving the CSX Study a higher priority. The study will look at converting freight rail tracks to use by passenger rail. The TIP is updated annually and includes transportation projects to be funded by federal, state, and local governments and agencies in the next five years.Priorities for projects were based on the adopted 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan. Comments were provided from the community during the virtual public hearing. In addition, 39 advance comments were provided by noon on June 30, following a 30-day public comment period that began on May 31. Exciting projects with new funding in this year’s TIP update include: Replacing old buses, equipment, and bus stops Repaving roadways and improving drainageColumbus Bridge Replacement StudyVision Zero Corridor StudiesFowler Ave, Dale Mabry Hwy, and Kennedy Blvd lighting safety improvementsFlorida Ave at Idlewild Ave and at Knollwood St signal-protected crosswalksDesigning “Complete Streets” at 21st Ave, 22nd Ave, 109th Ave, Tampa Palms Blvd, Interbay Blvd, 40th St, and 50th/56th St Trails and greenways include the West Tampa Greenway, Green Spine, and on 15th St (from 13th Ave to 21st Ave), and the South Coast GreenwayIntegrated Corridor Management (use of technology on corridors to help ease congestion)Additional Walk/Bike Safety Improvements at the Doyle Carlton roundabout, Central Ave, Ola Ave, El Prado Blvd, Floribraska Ave, Kennedy Blvd, Florida Ave, and the West River Greenway “The Hillsborough MPO was part of the regional coalition that helped bring the funding for the Westshore Interchange project home,” said MPO Executive Director Beth Alden. A shortlist of Major Investments for Economic Growth were identified as priorities for future funding. These include: HART – CSX rail study I-275, North of MLK Blvd to North of Bearss Ave – Two new lanes Downtown Interchange – Safety/Operational FixesGibsonton Dr at I-75 – Rebuild InterchangeTampa Modern Streetcar ExtensionHART Expansion of Existing Maintenance FacilityUS 92 Improvements in East County and Plant CitySome TIP items are new projects, while others have had schedule adjustments. The TIP also includes projects that won funding in previous years, such as pedestrian safety improvements on Busch Blvd and near the Sulphur Springs K-8 school. The TIP document is effective October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2021. A final draft of the TIP will be transmitted to FDOT by July 15. When the TIP comes into effect on October 1, citizens will be able to use our online mapping tool to get information about all of the TIP projects, including the ones that were just added. The TIP is coordinated and consistent with FDOT’s Work Program, and the MPO will continue to coordinate with FDOT and other transit providers on transportation improvements. In addition to projects the MPO prioritizes, the TIP includes projects from the FDOT, Hillsborough County, cities of Tampa, Temple Terrace, and Plant City, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, Transportation Disadvantaged, HART, Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority, and Port Tampa Bay as well. Please visit our website to view a complete list of transportation projects and how transportation projects are funded. Or, contact Sarah McKinley at 813/273-3774 x382 or mckinleys@plancom.org for more information. |