The Rewind: LRTP Public Hearing & November TPO Board Meeting

The October TPO Board meeting & Public Hearing covered critical updates and decisions, including the adoption of the Access 2050 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and significant Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) amendments.

The Board adopted the Access 2050 LRTP, a 25-year roadmap for transportation investments, allocating an estimated $18 billion across roadway maintenance, major projects, safety, and transit. Although this funding falls short of the $47 billion needed to meet all identified transportation demands, the plan prioritizes key projects, including the Tampa Streetcar Extension, which was added to the cost-feasible list.

Public engagement played a vital role in shaping the LRTP. Over 70 public comments were submitted, with most opposing the I-275 expansion from Hillsborough Avenue to Bearss Avenue. Concerns included increased pollution, neighborhood disruption, and limited congestion relief.

In addition to the LRTP, the Board addressed amendments to the FY25-29 TIP, focusing on immediate infrastructure improvements:
• U.S. 301 at Symmes Road Intersection: $3.8 million was added for upgrades, including a new traffic signal and drainage improvements.
• Hillsborough County Bridge Planning Study: $2 million was allocated to evaluate 11 critical bridges for rehabilitation or replacement.
• U.S. 301 Resurfacing: $3.9 million was approved for resurfacing and widening the roadway from the Manatee County Line to State Road 674 to improve safety.
These projects aim to enhance roadway functionality and resilience while addressing community safety concerns.

While the Access 2050 LRTP sets the stage for long-term planning, the TIP amendments demonstrate the TPO’s commitment to addressing immediate transportation priorities. The Board emphasized balancing investments to meet current demands and future needs, ensuring Hillsborough County remains prepared for continued growth.

November’s TPO Board had a central focus on the Transportation Improvement Program. The first action item was the 2024 Priority List Amendment and Proposed Program Changes. This action item was presented under the direction of the TPO Board to staff following recommendations from the Citizen’s Advisory Committee to amend the List of Priority Projects and TIP to the following projects:
• Airport to Downtown Premium Transit; currently ranked #64 and amended rank is #64
• TECO Streetcar Extension; currently ranked #64 and amended rank is #65
• Brightline Multi-modal Connections; currently ranked #73 and amended rank is #66
• HART CSX Study; currently ranked #96 and amended rank is #9

These recommendations make the listed projects the highest ranked Real Choices When Not Driving and Major Projects priorities. Ultimately, the Board accepted the amended 2024 Priority List.

TPO staff also asked for feedback on proposed modifications to the Priority List program to enhance the TPO’s role in the transportation programming process. Many Board members expressed their gratitude to the TPO staff for their innovative efforts in helping to make the TIP process more efficient and voiced support for the proposed changes. In addition to making the TIP process more efficient, it is also the goal of the TPO to make the TIP process easier to understand for the public.

The Board then reviewed new TIP Amendments: HART Route Restoration Planning Grant & HART Emergency Relief Hurricane Ian. The $300,000 Route Restoration Planning Grant will fund the evaluation of cost-effective solutions to improve routes disrupted by the pandemic, helping restore vital transit services. Meanwhile, the $2.15 million Emergency Relief project will reimburse HART for operating expenses incurred during Hurricane Ian, ensuring the system remains resilient during future emergencies. Board members inquired about HART’s ridership data and clarity on rider behavior considering the significant amount of time HART has had to recover from the effects of the pandemic. It was clarified that although the ridership numbers have returned to their normal levels overall, when measured per capita there is still a decline in ridership due to population growth.

The TPO Board also received a status report from the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority on Creating a Transportation System for Tampa’s Growing and Changing Communities. Many of the Board members expressed their appreciation for the presentation and for the excellent work that THEA does to better the community. Some questions arose such as explaining what the term smart cities implies and who is responsible for maintaining the areas that THEA revamps once a project is completed. THEA Executive Director Greg Slater explained that the term “smart cities” is used to describe innovative technologies utilized to improve traffic conditions. An example of this would be censors that are placed on buses to signal to traffic lights to extend the duration of a green light to allow the bus easier passage through the intersection. He also explained that THEA typically maintains responsibility for maintaining the projects it completes and has also utilized partnerships with other local agencies to maintain those areas if more efficient.

Interested in viewing all the proceedings? Recordings of the TPO Board Meetings can be viewed on our YouTube channel: Transportation Planning Organization – YouTube