Secondary Selection Criteria
“Completing the last two segments of the Trail network will result in an estimated 75 mile continuous loop further enhancing the network’s function and sustaining on-going efforts to reduce congestion and improve air quality by reducing vehicle miles traveled and getting people to change to non-motorized modes of transportation.”
Innovation
Completing the Pinellas Trail Loop demonstrates innovation by utilizing existing infrastructure to increase the capacity of the transportation system while providing for a safe and secure multi-modal transportation facility. The project presents cost effective options for increasing capacity. Pinellas County, the MPO and involved partners have developed this innovative Pinellas Trail Loop to encourage a shift to non-motorized modes of transportation, helping to alleviate congestion on the road network and improve the safety of those utilizing modes other than the automobile.
Figure 7 (Download PDF)
The Pinellas Trail Loop will leverage existing infrastructure and investments to provide more transportation choices and benefit the entire transportation system in Pinellas County. The project is innovative in its use of bioretention swales for stormwater collection, filtration of nutrients and discharge to nearby water bodies. The project will be constructed using design-build, an innovative method that allows for the cost and risk to be effectively managed, and for a quicker overall process.
Completing the Pinellas Trail Loop also demonstrates innovation through its public-private partnership with Duke Energy to utilize existing utility right-of-way to construct the majority of these final Trail segments. By leveraging this existing asset in the community, additional infrastructure costs can be reduced, if not avoided.
Partnership
Completing the Pinellas Trail Loop is a project that exemplifies strong collaboration among a broad range of participants, including Pinellas County, the MPO, Duke Energy, the Florida Department of Transportation, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, private businesses and all Pinellas County municipalities. Completing the Pinellas Trail Loop clearly integrates transportation with other public benefits, such as environmental protection and the provision of recreational facilities.
Jurisdictional and Stakeholder Collaboration
Pinellas County will be the implementing partner, managing the construction and maintenance. The MPO seeks to improve transportation countywide for all principal modes of travel, including mass transit, walking and bicycling. In addition to Pinellas County and the MPO, all municipalities in the County support the completion of the Pinellas Trail Loop, either directly or through the Barrier Islands Governmental Council (BIG-C).
Regionally, six additional MPOs have supported Completing the Pinellas Trail Loop through its incorporation into the Regional Long Range Transportation Plan. The Pinellas Trail Loop provides direct connections to trails within the county and extending into other counties in the region. The County and MPO have been collaborating with other agencies in the region to support the Pinellas Trail Loop as a regional facility and it continues to remain a high priority across the region. Letters of support are included in Appendix B and a list is provided on the following page.
Pinellas County and the MPO are partnering with Duke Energy to use their utility easement for a significant portion of this project. This partnership allows for the utilization of the existing utility easement, providing a unique and functional trail corridor that not only provides a recreational opportunity, but serves as a safe alternative transportation facility for employment, school traffic and other non-recreational trips.
FDOT investments (Download PDF)
In anticipation of Completing the Loop, The Florida Department of Transportation has already constructed an overpass at U.S. Highway 19 and an underpass at SR 688/Ulmerton Road for the Pinellas Trail Loop (see Figure 8). Another overpass segment is currently under construction at Allen’s Creek. In addition, FDOT has committed to constructing the trail segment along Roosevelt Boulevard (SR 686) at a value of $1.5 million for 2.3 miles of trail.
Pinellas Trails Inc., the Auxiliary Rangers and Keep Pinellas Beautiful are other private sector partners that will help to provide additional maintenance and security for the entire Pinellas Trail Loop. The County will partner with the City of Clearwater to utilize right-of-way for a portion of the Trail in the North Gap. The Pinellas County Department of Parks and Conservation Resources has committed to operating and maintaining the Trail.
Utilizing partnerships will serve to lower costs and promote efficiency by leveraging existing resources.
Federal Elected Officials
Private Businesses
Local Governments
|
Other Governmental Entities
Educational Institutions
Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development
Trail and Community Organizations
57 Letters from Citizens |
Disciplinary Integration
Completing the Pinellas Trail Loop exemplifies the integration of a variety of disciplines. This includes:
- The Pinellas County Department of Public Works, which will be overseeing the design-build contract;
- The Pinellas County Parks and Conservation Resources Department, responsible for the maintenance of the facility and for providing Park Rangers to monitor the Loop;
- Pinellas County Economic Development, promoting the project among its contacts;
- The City of St. Petersburg, coordinating this project with others in the area;
- The Pinellas Planning Council, a countywide land use agency, recognizing the importance of coordinating not only land use and transportation, but combines economic, housing and infrastructure goals together; and
- Duke Energy and the City of Clearwater for providing access to right-of-way for the construction of the Trail segments.
In addition to the direct project partners listed above, Completing the Loop involves a number of participants across many disciplines. This includes local governments, social service agencies such as those providing services to veterans, chambers of commerce and more. Over 100 letters of support from elected officials, government partners, the business community, trail organizations and citizens have been received.