Where should transportation dollars be spent?  How do we make the County’s transportation system safer?  Which transportation services are needed to meet the mobility needs of the disadvantaged? 

These are some of the questions the MPO will seek to address in the update of its Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), the blueprint for Pinellas County’s future transportation system.  The current LRTP guides decision making for transportation improvements needed through 2025. The update of the Plan, which is scheduled for MPO final adoption on December 9, 2009, will extend its horizon year to 2035. 

The LRTP is required by Federal Law in order for Pinellas County to receive Federal and State funding for transportation improvements.  It is the focal point of the MPO’s planning programs and activities, assessing the existing and future transportation needs of Pinellas County and setting forth improvements necessary to address those needs.

The LRTP considers all principal modes of transportation as an integrated system including automobile travel, public transportation, bicycling, walking and flight.  The preparation and implementation of the Plan is coordinated with other long-range transportation plans in the West Central Florida Region under the guidance of the Chairs Coordinating Committee (CCC), which is comprised of representatives from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Districts 1 and 7, the Regional Planning Councils, Citrus County and each of the MPOs in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando, Manatee, Sarasota and Polk Counties.  The current LRTP includes and is designed to accomplish the goals listed below.

1. Provide for a safe and energy efficient "multi-modal" and "intermodal" transportation system that serves the transportation needs of Pinellas County while enhancing the quality of life for its citizens.

2. Promote “livable community” concepts that allow for people to travel freely and safely in the urban environment through non-motorized travel modes such as walking, bicycling and skating.

3. Contribute to the economic vitality of Pinellas County through the provision of a transportation system that provides for the effective movement of people and goods to and from major employment centers and intermodal facilities.

4. Ensure coordination of state, regional and local transportation plans.

5. Develop and implement plans and programs that are responsive to the transportation needs and interests of Pinellas County citizens while raising public awareness about the role and responsibilities of the MPO.

Population and Job Growth are Key to Defining Plan Improvements

Assessment of the County's transportation system and future needs is based largely on the growth patterns of its population and employment. The Population and Dwelling Unit Projections, staff report and the Forecast 2035 Employment Socioeconomic Data Report, produced by Tindale Oliver and Associates presents the data used in the regional modeling process. Based on this information, the model simulated 2035 traffic conditions in Pinellas County, which helped to determine the type and scale of transportation improvements needed to meet future travel demand. These improvements are reflected in the maps below. The population and socioeconomic data reports were released in 2008.

Safety First

The MPO's Safety Element, which examines causes of traffic accidents in the County as well as strategies to address them, is being introduced with the 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan Update. These strategies revolve around the "4E" approach, including Engineering, Education, Enforcement and Emergency Response. In 2007, 23,248 documented crashes and 9,243 injuries affecting bicyclists and walkers as well as motorists occurred on the County's roadways. In addition, 118 fatalities were recorded in the same year.

Your Voice Counts!

The LRTP is dependent upon meaningful citizen input to ensure it accurately reflects the interests and needs of the community. Interested citizens have until December 9, 2009 to provide their comments on the draft 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan. The 2035 Pinellas County Long Range Transportation Plan Draft Plan Summary is now available for public review and comment. Comments should be provided in writing via email, regular mail (address below) or fax (727-464-8201).

Pinellas County MPO
600 Cleveland Street, Suite 750
Clearwater, FL 33755

Long Range Transportation Plan Maps

As part of its public involvement process, the maps listed below have been on display at various locations to provide an overview of the various elements of the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) Update. The maps are currently in draft form. Final versions will be included in the 2035 LRTP scheduled for adoption in October, 2009. The draft maps are intended to identify planned networks and improvements for the County's future transportation system and to guide decision making with regard to the allocation of state and federal transportation funding.

• Regional Transportation Network reflects an initial effort of the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA) to develop a long-range transit plan for the region. Among its regional planning efforts, the MPO is currently working with TBARTA and its member governments to develop long range solutions to the area’s transportation challenges.
  
  
• Pinellas Trailways Plan is intended to further the MPO’s objective to encourage bicycling and walking for commuting purposes as well as for recreational uses. The centerpiece of the Pinellas Trailways Plan is the 74-mile Pinellas Trail Loop, which incorporates the existing and planned sections of the two longest corridors, the Pinellas Trail and the Progress Energy Trail.
  

• Planned Premium Bus Network features a transit system integrating advanced technologies designed to provide more convenient, comfortable and faster bus service. The map identifies planned as well as existing routes covering the entire County.
  
  
• Planned Rail Transit Corridors represents a future vision of rail service in Pinellas County that includes at-grade service along the existing CSX rail 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.
  
  
• Scheduled and Planned Road Improvements identifies Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) projects scheduled for construction in the next five years and cost feasible planned projects identified in the current Long Range Transportation Plan, which had earmarked funding at the time Plan was last adopted in 2004. Also included on the map are Policy Plan projects. which are needed improvements that do not have funding identified for construction.
  
  
• Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Corridors identifies implementation phases for ITS applications on the County’s major road network. Phase one is the highest priority. This reflects an emphasis of local ITS initiatives on arterial roadway management through the phased implementation of advanced traffic management system (ATMS) and freeway management system applications such as cameras and communication systems to monitor traffic, optimize signal timings on major roads and control the flow of traffic.

Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

About the TIP

In addition to the Long Range Transportation Plan, one of the principal responsibilities of the MPO is the development and maintenance of the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP is a Federal requirement necessary for Pinellas County to receive State and Federal capital improvement funds for transportation projects. The TIP contains the scheduled work programs of Pinellas County, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), municipal governments and the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA). These work programs include projects to construct road, airport, sidewalk, trail, transit and Port of St. Petersburg improvements. They also include planned capital purchases by PSTA and funding allocations for the Transportation Disadvantaged Program.

Project Priorities

The TIP also includes priority project lists for Surface Transportation Program (STP) and Transportation Enhancement (TE) Program funding. The STP funds are primarily used for road construction projects and the TE funds are primarily used for non highway construction projects such as sidewalk and trail improvements. These priority lists are approved annually by the MPO to guide FDOT's allocation of Federal and State funds. The TIP is annually approved by the MPO in June and subsequently adopted by FDOT as part of the State Transportation Improvement Program in July. The TIP is updated in the fall of each year to include the new County and municipal work programs.

Fall Update

At their December 9, 2009 meeting, the MPO will be considering approval of the proposed Fall Update of the 2009/10 - 2013/14 TIP. The fall update is an annual amendment of the TIP to incorporate the fiscal year 2009/10 work programs of Pinellas County and the muncipal governments. These work programs were approved in recent months by the respective local governments. A table showing the differences between the Fall Update and the current TIP on the County road projects will be reviewed by the MPO as well.

2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Projects

Recent amendments to the FDOT Five-Year Work Program reflect the allocation of $197 million in ARRA funds to Pinellas County transportation projects. These projects are described below.

• US Highway 19, north of Whitney Road to south of Seville Boulevard. Reconstruction of frontage road and Belleair Road interchange. ARRA funds: $24.1 million. Construction start date: fiscal year (FY) 2009/10. FDOT Project Summary Report
  
  
• East Avenue, Turner Street to Drew Street, Bicycle Safety Improvements. ARRA funds: $1.39 million. Construction state date: FY 2009/10. FDOT Project Summary Report
  
  
• 14 Hybrid Buses for Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) fleet. ARRA funds (Section 5307): $8.4 million. Scheduled in FY 2008/09.
  
  
• Automated Vehicle Location System for PSTA. ARRA funds (Section 5307): $5.4 million. Scheduled in FY 2008/09.
  
  
• Passenger Amenites for PSTA fleet. ARRA funds (Section 5307): $1.0 million. Scheduled in FY 2008/09.
  
  
• PSTA Section 5307 Administration. ARRA funds: $10 thousand.

Visit the websites below for more information about the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the implementation of ARRA funded projects in Florida.
Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board
Florida Department of Transportation Economic Stimulus

2009/10 TIP Amendments

Scheduled for MPO action on December 9, 2009.

• Upgrading lighting poles, Memorial Causeway (SR 60) from Clearwater Harbor Channel to west of Memorial Bridge. Funding increase of $330,103. Scheduled for installation in FY 2009/10. With amendment, total funding amount is $440,103.
• Change in project limits and advancing of construction from FY 2012/13 to FY 2009/10 on North Bay Trail from 30th Avenue North to 54th Avenue North. The original limits were between 30th Avenue North and 78th Avenue. The North Bay Trail is a 10-foot wide shared use trail. The project is being funded through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act monies and Pinellas County MPO Ehnancement Program reserves in the amount of $1.68 million.
• Installation of concrete barrier and repair of fencing on the Pinellas County side of the Howard Frankland Bridge. Funds are provided by the District Arterial Safety Contingency and In-House Contingency reserve in the amount of $540,876.
• This project is to design a “slip ramp” for eastbound 118th Avenue traffic to access the CR 296/I-275 on-ramp.  This improvement will provide free flow eastbound access to I-275 that is expected to relieve the back up occurring at the 31st Court North/118th Avenue traffic signal.  This design is funded from the district-wide design contingency reserve in the amount of $5.8 million.

Approved by the MPO on October 14, 2009.

• Reconstruction of US Highway 19, south of McCormick Drive to north of Enterprise Road.  Funding increase of $620,275 for safety and operation improvements. Scheduled for construction in FY 2009/10. With amendment, total funding amount for the project is $6,674,350.
• Sidewalk installation on south side of St. Petersburg Drive, Chestnut Street to Buckingham Drive. New project scheduled for construction in FY 2009/10. Project funding amount is $78,722.

Roll forward of projects from fiscal year (FY) 2008/09 to 2009/10 approved by the MPO on September 9, 2009.

• Pinellas County Jobs Access Reverse Commute (JARC) grant funds for fixed route transit operations. Scheduled for FY 2009/10. Fund Amount: $194,041.
• Pinellas County New Freedom grant funds for fixed route transit operations. Scheduled for FY 2009/10. Fund Amount: $647,441.
• St. Petersburg Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5309 Discretionary Earmark for Central Avenue bus rapid transit (BRT) corridor enhancement. Scheduled for FY 2009/10. Fund amount: $475,000.