The Rewind: August TPO Board Meeting & LRTP Public Hearing

At the August 13 TPO Board meeting and Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) Public Hearing, the Board reviewed several important items, beginning with the Federal Quadrennial Certification of the TPO.

The certification process involves a federal review team that evaluates the TPO’s best practices, opportunities for improvement, and compliance with regulatory requirements. The Hillsborough TPO received recognition for five noteworthy practices with no corrective actions and only three recommendations. Several Board members commended TPO staff for their strong performance and service to the community.

One board member raised concerns that one recommendation suggested the agency did not sufficiently prioritize transit. Teresa Parker from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) clarified that the recommendation, while transit-related, may not fully reflect the TPO’s efforts. She explained that a more complete picture would result from coordination between FHWA and the Federal Transit Administration, which conducts its own assessments on site. The Board ultimately voted to accept the Certification Report.

The TPO Board then received two status reports:
• Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) Comprehensive Operational Analysis
• Public Participation Plan (PPP) Update 2025

Discussion on the HART analysis included questions about service in the Wimauma area. HART staff confirmed that Route 31 will remain in operation. Board members also encouraged HART to balance service based on community need and suggested incorporating creative outreach strategies, such as humor in public engagement, similar to Tampa International Airport’s approach.

Regarding the PPP Update, many Board members supported staff’s recommendations, though some expressed concern over proposed changes to printed media and road sign guidelines. Overall, the Board emphasized that public engagement should be as comprehensive as possible, while still considering cost and effectiveness to ensure all community members are reached.

The meeting then transitioned into the LRTP Public Hearing. The proposed amendment concerned the Van Dyke Road Widening Project, which would expand the roadway from two to four lanes between Tobacco Road and east of Whirley Road, and include a multi-use trail from Gunn Highway to east of Whirley Road.

Board members raised a variety of questions, including how the grading system used to evaluate projects should be interpreted. Staff clarified that the letter grades are based on Transportation Research Board standards, where a “C” indicates a well-performing project and not the equivalent of a school grade. Additional questions centered on funding strategies and potential partnerships, with staff noting that the goal is to pursue federal funding.

Concerns were also expressed about the project’s impact on nearby businesses. Hillsborough County Public Works staff explained that, so far, impacts appear limited to parking rather than buildings, though further study is required. Another discussion point was whether swapping out the 46th Street project (from Fletcher Avenue to Bruce B. Downs Boulevard) for the Van Dyke Road project was the most suitable decision. Following the discussion, the TPO Board approved the amendment to the 2050 LRTP.

Interested in viewing the full proceedings? Recordings of TPO Board Meetings are available on our YouTube channel: Watch here.