New projects continue to receive funding. The MPO has recently added several projects to the Transportation Improvement Program benefiting from competitive grant applications or as a result of lower than expected bids on other projects statewide.
In February, the MPO acknowledged the more than $8 million HART was awarded from two Federal Transit Administration grant programs. The State of Good Repair Program and the Bus Livability programs will allow HART to upgrade and renovate their 21st Avenue Facility and purchase their first Compressed Natural Gas vehicles. More information can be found by viewing the HART website Capital Projects page.
In March, the MPO approved advancing funding for four pedestrian / bicycle projects. The projects, recommended from the City of Tampa Walk/Bike Study, had been slated for Preliminary Engineering in 2015. Due to lower than expected bids on other projects throughout the state these projects – Bougainvillea Avenue, Cypress Street Trail, Palm Avenue, and Willow Avenue – will now go through this design phase later this year. Read more about the Walk/Bike Study online.