News and Updates

Senate Bill 360 Landmark Change to Transportation Concurrency

On June 1, Governor Crist signed Senate Bill 360 into Law. The historial legislation dramatically changes the landscape of local concurrency management systems, which call for public services and facilities needed to accommodate the impacts of development projects to be in place prior to their approval. The bill expands the definition of dense urban land areas to include those counties, such as Pinellas, with over 1,000 people per square mile.

As one of eight Florida counties that meet this definition, Pinellas County is automatically designated as a transportation concurrency exception area (TCEA). Approval of development projects within TCEAs is no longer contingent upon ensuring that State mandated level of service standards for roadways are maintained. During his legislative update presentation at the 2009 Growth Management Implementation Workshop held in Orlando on June 25 and 26, Florida Department of Community Affairs Secretary Thomas Pelham emphasized that Senate Bill 360 only removes State‐mandated transportation concurrency. He also noted the obligation of local governments to establish mobility goals and plans to address transportation needs in TCEAs within the next two years.

MPO Approves Rail Network Plan

At their regularly scheduled meeting on May 13, the MPO approved the policy plan rail network, one of the elements of the Long Range Transportation Plan Update, which is scheduled for adoption in October, 2009.The approved network represents a future vision of rail service in Pinellas County without regard to funding constraints. A cost feasible version of the plan and associated project priorities will be defined at the next MPO meeting on June 10. The rail plan features at-grade service along the existing CSX rail line (green line) from Oldsmar to St. Petersburg as well as connections to Hillsborough County via the Howard Frankland Bridge and to Pasco County via US Highway 19.

The MPO further recommended that the CSX green line be added to the Tampa Bay Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA) Mid-Range Plan, which identifies a planned transit network for the region. Also regarding the Mid-Range Plan, the MPO stated its priority is the blue line between Clearwater and St. Petersburg and the red line between St. Petersburg and Tampa, including the Howard Frankland Bridge crossing as identified on the policy plan rail network.

FDOT Releases Updated Tentative Five Year Work Program

In April, 2009, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) released an updated version of its Fiscal Year (FY) 2009/10 Tentative Work Program, which includes a proposed five-year schedule of transportation improvements utilizing state and federal funding extending to FY 2013/14. This latest version of the Tentative Work Program reflects the recent allocation of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding to Pinellas County. A comparative report provides details of the changes between this Tentative Work Program and the FY 2008/09 Work Program that was adopted in 2008. The updated Tentative Work Program will become part of the FY 2009/10 MPO Transportation Improvement Program that will be considered for adoption by the MPO Board at their regularly scheduled meeting on July 8, 2009.

Livable Communities Initiative, Pinellas Trail Loop Earn Future of the Region Honors

The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council hosted their 17th Annual Future of the Region Awards on March 20 in Tampa recognizing outstanding achievements in resource planning and management in the Tampa Bay region. The MPO's Livable Communities Initiative was awarded first place in the Community Service category while the Pinellas Trail Loop acheived a second place finish in the Cultural Sports and Recreation category. The Livable Communities Initiative was a five-year effort resulting in the development of model comprehensive plan objectives and policies and land development code provisions for local governments to create and expand quality sustainable urban environments in the County. The Pinellas Trail Loop Program is a comprehensive planning effort to design and develop a continuous 74-mile trail facility connecting the County's major cities, a wide range of popular destinations and adjacent counties.

MPO Approves Concept Plan for Transit System

On March 11, 2009, the MPO approved a concept plan for future transit service in Pinellas County as identified in the Pinellas Countywide Bus Rapid Transit Study. The study identifies seven corridors for the potential implementation of a combination of traditional, enhanced and premium bus service while establishing the framework for future BRT service in Pinellas County. The development of this plan is a continuing effort initiated by the MPO to develop a countywide intermodal approach to transportation that includes fixed-guideway, BRT, trolley, and enhanced bus services. Select here for more information about plans for BRT in Pinellas County as well as the Countywide Bus Rapid Transit Study.

Citizen Input Key to Design of Transportation Plan

The Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is in the process of updating its Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), which provides a blueprint for the County's transportation system extending to the year 2035. A key element of this process is public involvement, which is necessary to ensure the Plan reflects the needs and interests of the County's citizens. Please take a moment to share your thoughts and concerns by completing the MPO's transportation survey.

The 2035 LRTP update is anticipated to be approved by the MPO in October 2009. The LRTP addresses all principal modes of transportation as an integrated system including highways, public transportation, bikeways and pedestrian facilities.

New Law in Effect to Protect Pedestrians in Crosswalks

Walking conditions will be getting a little safer for pedestrians attempting to cross the street thanks to a new State law that became effective on July 1, 2008. The law requires vehicles to stop for pedestrians whenever they are in a crosswalk with a permitting signal at an intersection that has a traffic signal. Select here for more information about the new pedestrian safety law.

About the MPO

The Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) was established in 1977 following the passage of the Federal Highway Act of 1974. The task of the MPO is to develop plans, policies and priorities that guide local decision making on transportation issues. Principal responsibilities include the development of a 20-year Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), a five-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), a two-year Unified Planning Work Program and related transportation planning studies and projects. For more on the role of MPOs, read MPO's: A Primer.

The MPO seeks to improve transportation in the county for all principal modes of travel, including mass transit, walking, and bicycling, as well as automobile. The MPO prioritizes capital improvements to address the county's travel needs and allocates federal funding to implement the projects as identified in the TIP and the LRTP.

MPO Public Involvement Opportunities

The MPO places a high value on public involvement. Presentations are made to professional, civic and social groups. The MPO also participates in community-based public involvement events including public hearings, forums and community fairs.

One way to become involved in transportation planning is by making a brief presentation on an issue that deeply concerns you during the "Citizens to be Heard" segment of the MPO's monthly meeting. Another way is through participation on one of the MPO's advisory committees. Openings occur periodically, and you are encouraged to apply if you are interested and willing to make a time commitment.

For any questions or comments regarding the contents of this website, please email, mail or telephone the MPO using the contact information below.

Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.

top of page