Did you know the cost of medical care for chronic disease from obesity is estimated at $34 billion over the next 17 years in Florida? County and municipal governments play an important role in decreasing the prevalence of unhealthy weight in their jurisdictions. A variety of policies implemented by local governments have shown an increase in physical activity and improved nutrition.

In 2015, the Florida Department of Health is recognizing 65 communities as Healthy Weight Community Champions. "Health improves in communities through local solutions," said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. "The number of recognized communities has almost doubled from the 2014 recognition cycle which demonstrates a growing commitment among local governments to make Florida a healthy place to live, work and play."

• Using a 'latent demand' methodology for identifying high-priority connections where people would be likely to bicycle if safe facilities were available, leading to many bike lanes and paved shoulders in Hillsborough County and the Cities of Tampa and Temple Terrace

• Setting aside funds in the long range transportation plan specifically for implementing crash reduction treatments, including for walk/bike crashes

In addition, Hillsborough County and our Cities have created Community Redevelopment Areas to support redevelopment activities that will bring additional services, like supermarkets, to under-served neighborhoods. The City of Tampa was also recognized for:

• The City's Complete Streets Resolution
• Operating over 3,500 acres of park land with 170+ parks, 23 community centers, 14 aquatic facilities, and over 60 miles of multi-purpose trails
• Installing Coast Bike Share
• Providing funding for roundabouts, speed bumps, pedestrian refuge islands, and radar feedback signs to improve pedestrian safety

We look forward to continuing to work with our local governments and planning partners towards healthier, even more vibrant communities.

Coming soon to a corridor near you!

At its June 2nd meeting, the MPO held a public hearing before adopting a $1.4 billion Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP funds a wide variety of projects over the next five years and begins to realize the MPO's 2040 Plan.

Public transit and rideshare improvements are an important part of the TIP, including:

• Replacing older buses in HART's fleet with CNG fueled vehicles
• Providing vans for the regional vanpool programs
• Continuing two cross county express bus routes to Clearwater and Wesley Chapel
• Funding assistance from federal grants for bus and share-a-van services

The TIP also includes major projects to add roadway capacity for a growing economy, such as:

• Widening Bruce B Downs Blvd from 4 to 6 lanes from Pebble Creek Dr to Pasco County (2015)
• Widening US 301 from 2 to 6 lanes from SR 674 to Balm Rd (2016)
• Interchange improvements, including:

• I-275 / Memorial Hwy (SR 60) and I-275 / I-4 in downtown Tampa, purchase right-of-way for future widening
• I-75 / I-4 construction of northbound ramp (2016)

• I-4 from 50th St to McIntosh Rd (2018)
• Florida Ave from Sligh Ave to River Shore Dr (2016)
• E Hillsborough Ave from N Miami Ave to 56th St (2018)

Reducing crashes and vulnerability to flooding are among the MPO's highest priorities, and the TIP will fund safety and drainage projects on:

• Bougainvillea Ave walk/bike safety improvements from 30th to 46th St (2016)
• Sidewalks at Stowers, Summerfield, Eisenhower, Cypress Creek elementary schools (2018 and later)
• Drainage improvements on Dale Mabry, Gandy, Hillsborough, Kennedy, and US 301 (2016)

• Intelligent Freeway Management Systems on Courtney Campbell Causeway (2017) and I-75 from Progress Village to Manatee County (2019)
• Advanced Traffic Management System deploying smart signal technology at over 500 intersections in the City of Tampa (2017 through 2020)

TBARTA Master Plan update for 2015   

In order to align efforts and prevent duplication, TBARTA has joined together with the West Central Florida MPO Chairs Coordinating Committee (CCC) to create a combined regional master plan and regional long range transportation plan. The TBARTA 2040 regional network maps and projects now are based on the five MPOs' long range cost feasible transportation plans, and the LRTPs' Needs are illustrated in the TBARTA Longer Range Needs network maps. TBARTA has also identified near term funding priorities.

What results is better cohesion-one region, one plan, one voice- so that from every angle, Tampa Bay area leaders are on the same page when it comes to the future of transportation. This helps state and federal legislators better understand which projects are most important to the residents and businesses of the region, and in turn, allocate funding.

Hurricane season important reminders

• Call the Hillsborough County Health Department at 813/307-8063
• Call the Hillsborough County InfoLine at 813/272-5900, TTY 813/301-7173
• Call your home health care provider
• Complete an evaluation form (below) and fax to 813/276-8689 or mail to:
  Hillsborough County Health Department
  P.O. Box 5135
  Tampa, FL 33675-5135
• English form   
• Spanish form 

Where's the bus? There's an app for that

Two years ago HART launched the revolutionary OneBusAway app that delivers real-time bus arrival information directly to a customer's smart phone, computer, or other Wi-Fi enabled device. The system is accessed more than 200,000 times every month. Now the system has upgraded to include a touchtone feature allowing riders to get real-time information from a regular phone. 

The new touchtone feature allows access to OneBusAway from a landline or a basic cell phone, even one without a data plan. That means no data charges or extra fees from phone carriers for texting, and it is an ideal solution for anyone with a visual impairment. Just call 813/452-4OBA (4622).  

As HART Chief Executive Officer Katharine Eagan explains, "This will truly enhance the rider's experience, because they'll have the answers they need right at their fingertips." Learn more about the OneBusAway app, text message, and touchtone features.

HART Summer Blast Pass is back! 

School's out, and the HART Summer Blast Pass is the kids' ticket to freedom this summer! The Summer Blast Pass offers kids ages 5 - 18 unlimited rides on HART Local, Limited Express, MetroRapid, In-Town Trolley, and HARTFlex routes from May 11 - August 31, for just $30!     

Purchase your Summer Blast Pass at:

• Marion Transit Center, 1211 N Marion St in Downtown Tampa, Monday - Friday, 6a - 6p and Saturday, 7a - 5p
• HART at City Hall, 306 E Jackson St in Downtown Tampa, Monday & Friday only, 11a - 1p
• HART Administrative Offices, 1201 7th Ave in Ybor City, Monday - Friday, 8a - 5p
• University Area Transit Center, 13110 N 27th St in Tampa, Monday - Friday, 6a - 5p and Saturday, 7a - 5p

62 consecutive months of a million plus!   

HART continues to celebrate ridership growth. April 2015 brought 1,255,932 trips, marking 62 consecutive months of a million-plus bus rides! February 2010 was the last month with under one million rides. This continues a strong upward ridership trend for HART, with a fifth straight year of record ridership. It's time to join in on the celebration, get information at GoHART.org and get on board!

A life framed by love for community 

It is with heavy heart that we share the passing of Anne Madden on May 28, 2015. Following her service to our country in the military, Anne continued to serve as an advocate of the SouthShore community and all of Hillsborough County as a member of numerous civic and county organizations. She was the owner of Frame Crafters and the Blue Ibis Art Gallery in Ruskin for 16 years.

Anne proudly served as a Planning Commissioner from 2001 to 2005, representing them on the MPO Board. An active participant in each planning initiative for the SouthShore area, she was involved in local community plans and most recently a transit circulator study. Eager to share her passion for planning with her local community, she beamed when interactive planning displays were represented at local events like the Family Salsa Festival, Seafood Festival, and Ruskin Tomato Festival. As a HART Board Member from 2011 to 2014, Anne was a champion of collaboration among the different agencies. She also served on the Citizens Advisory Committee of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, the SouthShore Arts Council, and on the Board of Directors of the SouthShore Roundtable and the South Bay Hospital.

We will greatly miss her smiling eyes, sense of humor, warm heart, and passion for art, children, the disadvantaged, and planning for a brighter future. We are quite certain this community is a more beautiful place, because of the legacy Anne Madden has left for future generations. Thank you! 

FDOT kicks in $1 million to plan streetcar expansion 

Richard Danielson, Times Staff writer 

Published April, 22, 2015 

The Florida Department of Transportation has committed $1 million to help City Hall figure out how to expand Tampa's underused and underfunded downtown streetcar. "We've got to fix the streetcar," Mayor Bob Buckhorn said in a recent interview. "We can maintain the status quo for a while. The larger issue is, what do we do with it? What are the future expansion plans? What's the route? How do you pay for it?"

Those questions have gained urgency because of Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik's $1 billion planned redevelopment around Amalie Arena. Vinik's development team has been working with the city on potential changes to the streetcar in the hope of seeing an expanded trolley line move workers, sports fans and residents around downtown. Vinik's plans elevate the streetcar's potential and create what Buckhorn calls "a rare economic opportunity."

The FDOT agrees. "We share your viewpoint that a strategic streetcar extension has the potential of being a viable transportation option to support the continuing growth within Tampa's urban core," FDOT District 7 Secretary Paul Steinman said in a letter delivered last week.

Buckhorn said the city will put in $250,000 for a jointly funded feasibility study. The study will consider extending the streetcar's route north to Tampa Heights. The city and state have to focus the study's goals and agree on its schedule, but officials expect it to address construction and operating costs, ridership projections, environmental impacts and the streetcar's potential to stimulate development along the route. "The route is critical," Buckhorn said. "The route will dictate what the cost is."

The engineering firm HDR has estimated the costs of expanding the streetcar at $30 million to $60 million. That does not include $2.5 million for needed capital maintenance or another $60 million that would be needed to modernize the streetcar.
Buckhorn told Steinman that the city is working to refine the costs and identify both benefits and challenges that go with various alternatives for expansion. That will include pursuing federal funds to aid in construction, city officials said. In the future, Buckhorn anticipates that the city could request state funds to help with the project's capital and operating costs.

"I will try and spread the love," he said. "We can't be asked to bear this entire burden." The city also expects to ask for the FDOT's help working with CSX railroad on two key issues. One, the city wants to negotiate for a streetcar crossing at Polk Street. Also, the city hopes to end a $400,000 insurance premium the streetcar line must pay every year to maintain a $100 million liability policy required by CSX because the trolley crosses its tracks in Ybor City.

"It's great to hear that they're going to partner with the city on this," said mass transit advocate and Hillsborough County Commission candidate Brian Willis, who has criticized the FDOT for pursuing a multibillion plan to add tolled express lanes to the area's interstates instead of focusing on improved bus and other transit options or projects to make roads safer for pedestrians and bicyclists.

More information about the TECO Historic Streetcar.

Tampa area ranked 11th in nation for traffic congestion    

Yvette C. Hammett | Tribune Staff 

Published March 21, 2015  

During afternoon rush hour, 53 percent of commuters in the Tampa metro area are mired in gridlock. In the mornings, 34 percent sit in traffic. This region ranks 11th in the nation for congestion, according to the 2014 TomTom Traffic Index released Tuesday.