Proposed TIP Amendments to expand freight capacity and modernize public transit

Published
November 26, 2024

Contact
Elizabeth Watkins – [email protected] – 813-582-7382

Last updated
November 26, 2024

On December 11th at 10 a.m., the TPO Board will review three proposed amendments to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The following projects aim to enhance freight capacity and improve public transit, supporting the region’s growing transportation needs:

East Port Omniport Expansion

Port Tampa Bay has secured a $22 million INFRA grant to expand its East Port Omniport facility, a project with a total cost of $37 million. This expansion will increase the facility’s size from 18 acres and a 400-foot wharf to 27 acres and a 675-foot wharf, enabling it to accommodate vessels over 800 feet long. The project is set to enhance freight handling capacity, bolstering the port’s role as a key economic driver.

HART CAD/AVL System Replacement

HART will modernize its transit operations with a $10.1 million federal award to replace its outdated Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Automated Vehicle Location (AVL) system. This upgrade will improve real-time communication with riders and enhance HART’s ability to monitor and adjust services dynamically, offering a more efficient transit experience.

New CNG Low-Floor Buses for HART

With support from the FHWA Surface Transportation Program, HART will invest in four new 40-foot compressed natural gas (CNG) low-floor buses. Each bus costs approximately $800,000 and will contribute to modernizing the fleet, improving accessibility, and supporting environmentally friendly transit options.

These amendments will bring increased capacity to Port Tampa Bay and improved transit service for the community, reflecting the region’s commitment to advancing its transportation infrastructure.

For more details about these proposed amendments, visit our website.

The public is invited to provide feedback on the amendment until 3 p.m. on December 10, 2024, through the following channels:

  • Email: [email protected]
  • Mail: Hillsborough TPO, Attn: Cheryl Wilkening, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., 18th Floor, Tampa, FL 33602
  • Voicemail: (813) 272-5940 (press 9)
  • Social Media: Leave comments on social media including on the TPO’s Facebook Page
  • Meeting Participation: Register to participate in the meeting in person or virtually.

For further inquiries, contact Elizabeth Watkins at [email protected] or (813) 582-7382.

Accessibility

Persons needing assistance reading or interpreting items in this document, free of charge, are encouraged to contact the ADA Coordinator at (813) 272-5940 or [email protected]. Plan Hillsborough (the Planning Commission, the Hillsborough TPO, and the Hillsborough River Board) cannot ensure accessibility for items produced by other agencies or organizations.

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Plan Hillsborough 2026