The Rewind: January TPO Board Meeting

The TPO Board’s January meeting set the tone for a promising year with new leadership: Mayor Ross as Chair and Commissioner Wostal as Vice Chair.

A focal point of the meeting was the approval of the 2025 Safety Performance Targets. Encouragingly, Hillsborough County experienced a 33% reduction in fatalities from 2023 to 2024. Some Board members questioned whether this data is an anomaly or if the community can look forward to a continued decrease in fatalities in the years to come. TPO staff affirmed that these results are likely a direct result of the Board’s intentional decisions to invest in safety and expressed optimism that a continued trend of progress could be achievable.

While this signals positive outcomes from the Board’s strategic safety investments, challenges remain. Serious injuries and motorcycle-related fatalities saw less improvement. Secretary Gwynn noted ongoing FDOT research into motorcycle incidents, while the Board urged staff to prioritize effective safety treatments for sustained progress.

The Board also approved the updated Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) membership, emphasizing the need for diverse geographic and demographic representation. Interested individuals can apply here.

In preparation for the February 12th LRTP public hearing, the Board reviewed the Branch Forbes Road and McIntosh Road Project Development and Environment Study. These projects aim to address capacity and safety needs but raised concerns about potential impacts on local businesses and school bus routes. FDOT representatives assured the Board that the school district is being included in planning to address bus route concerns. They also emphasized that they are aware of local businesses that may be impacted by the project and have been actively communicating with them to find workable solutions.

HART presented its 2025–2034 Annual Transit Development Plan Progress Report, highlighting strides in improving transit frequency, expanding service corridors, and advancing capital projects. Notable developments include efforts to enhance bus services on core routes like Main Street and Waters Avenue and the planned replacement of aging diesel buses. However, challenges remain, such as funding gaps for critical projects like new transit centers in Brandon and Riverview.

The Board also reviewed the agency-wide Plan Hillsborough 2024 Annual Report, which highlighted accomplishments across the Transportation Planning Organization, the Planning Commission, and the Hillsborough River Board. The report celebrated collaborative successes, such as expanded public participation in major projects and the adoption of sustainable transportation and planning practices to support a thriving and prosperous community.
Interested in viewing all the proceedings? Recordings of the TPO Board Meetings can be viewed on our YouTube channel: Transportation Planning Organization – YouTube