News and Updates

MPO to Host Webinar on Update of Florida Transportation Plan

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will launch its Florida Transportation Plan (FTP) Update in a statewide webinar on March 10, 2010. The webinar will be shown locally in the conference room of the MPO/Pinellas County Planning Department, 600 Cleveland Street, Suite 750 in Clearwater at 2 PM. The 2060 FTP provides a statewide vision for the future of transportation over the next 50 years, identifying the goals, objectives, and strategies necessary to address the long-term needs of the state transportation system and to guide the expenditure of federal, state, and local transportation funds.

Video Contest Invites Ideas for Improving Mass Transit Service

Tampa-based web design company Magnetic has teamed up with the Pinellas Suncost Transit Authority, HART, Tampa International Airport and the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority to sponsor a video contest designed to generate ideas from local businesses about mass transit. Video entries must answer the question "How could improved mass transit in Tampa Bay affect our community and business for you and your employees?"

The grand prize winner receives a $10 thousand website upgrade. The second place finisher receives a $2,500 online marketing campaign and the third place prize is a $1,500 email marketing campaign. The contest ends on February 26, 2010. Go to the Magnetic website for more information and to submit a video entry.

Tierra Verde Bridge Project Prioritized for Jobs for Main Street Funding

The replacement of the Tierra Verde Bridge (a.k.a. Pinellas Bayway Structure E) was moved to number three on the MPO American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) funding priority list following appoval by the MPO's policy board at their meeting on January 13, 2010. The action was prompted by the passage of the Jobs for Main Street Act by the U.S. House of Representatives on December 16, 2009. The Act, which is awaiting action by the U.S. Senate, would pump an additional $37.2 billion into transportation improvement projects across the nation.

The MPO's amended ARRA project list is shown below in order of priority, one being the highest. Select here to view projects in Pinellas County that have been allocated ARRA funding to date.

1. US Highway 19, north of Whitney Road to State Road 60 - partially controlled access improvements.
2. Pinellas Bayway Bridge/State Road 682 (Structure C), replacement.
3. Pinellas Bayway Bridge/State Road 679 (Structure E), replacement.
4. Ulmerton Road, 119th Street to Seminole Bypass Canal - expand to six lanes.
5. Gandy Boulevard, widening from Martin Luther King Jr. Street to 28th Street North.
6. Bryan Dairy Road, widening from Starkey Road to 72nd Street to six lanes.

MPO Approves 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

The MPO approved its 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) during a public hearing held on December 9, 2009. The multi-modal plan is updated every three years to address the transportation needs of Pinellas County for all major modes of travel including automobile, transit, bicycling, walking and air flight. The MPO-approved LRTP is currently under review by State and Federal transportation agencies. An LRTP Summary, presented to the MPO on October 14, 2009 meeting, provides an abbreviated version of the Plan.

FDOT Advances Ulmerton Road and US 19 Widening in New Work Program

At the December 9, 2009 MPO meeting, FDOT officials unveiled their fiscal year (FY) 2010/11 - 2014/15 Tentative Work Program, along with the announcement that improvement projects on US 19 and Ulmerton Road, two of the MPO's highest priority corridors, are being advanced. On US 19, the construction of an interchange at Enterprise Road and frontage roads between Countryside Boulevard and Sunset Point Road will now begin construction in FY 2011/12.

Efforts to reconstruct Ulmerton Road (SR 688) to a six lane facility in its entirety have been underway for several years. FDOT's Tentative Work Program calls for all the remaining widening projects on the facility to begin construction within the next five years. A map identifying the project locations is available here. Comments on the Tentative Work Program may be received until January 19, 2010 before it is submitted to the Florida Legislature and adopted into the MPO's 2010/11 Transportation Improvement Program in the summer of 2010.

Annual TIP Update Incorporates Local Work Programs

At their December 9, 2009 meeting, the MPO approved the Fall Update of the FY 2009/10 - 2013/14 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The fall update is an annual amendment of the TIP to incorporate the most recently adopted work programs of Pinellas County and the muncipal governments. With the approval of this update, all work programs contained in the TIP, including those of FDOT and the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority are based on the same five year schedules (FY 2009/10 - 2013/14) except for the Pinellas County work program, which is based on a six-year schedule (FY 2009/10 - 2014/15).

Pedestrian Safety Plan Seeks to Reverse Increase in Pedestrian Fatalities

Over the past five years, the number of per capita pedestrian crash fatalities in Florida has been higher than every other state except New Mexico. Over the past five years, on average, 28 people per year have died in Pinellas County pedestrian crashes and nearly 100 people per year have sustained incapacitating injury. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) published its Pinellas County Pedestrian Safety Action Plan in hopes of reducing these numbers. Approved by the MPO at its meeting on September 9, 2009, the Plan provides local government agencies in the County with engineering, enforcement, education, and emergency medical service (EMS) strategies and supporting information to help local practitioners understand the tools and organizational changes necessary to implement these strategies.

Stop and Look Pedestrian Safety Campaign

With almost 20% of all traffic fatalities in Florida involving pedestrians, the FloridaDepartment of Transportation has launched a STOP AND LOOK Pedestrian Safety Campaign. The safety campaign is designed to promote safe pedestrian and motorist behavior, encourage people to think before they cross busy roads and to increase driver awareness of pedestrians.

MPO Passes Federal Certification Review

The planning processes of the Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco County MPOs, which comprise the Tampa Bay Transportation Management Area (TMA), are required to be reviewed every four years to ensure they are compliant with Federal Law.  Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) representatives conducted a review of the Pinellas County MPO in February.  Based on their findings, the FHWA and FTA jointly certified that the MPO's planning process substantially meets the federal planning requirements contained in 23 CFR 450 Subpart C as indicated in their 2009 Certification Report.  The report also points out noteworthy practices and recommendations to improve the MPO's current planning process. Efforts are underway to address the report's recommendations.   The 2009 Certification Report was published in June 2009 and approved by the MPO at their meeting on July 8, 2009.

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.

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