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The Heartland Regional Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO) requires the services of a firm with transit planning expertise to perform a Feasibility Study and simulation for on-demand public transit services for Highlands County, Florida, with a focus on the Sebring-Avon Park Urbanized Area and develop recommendations that will inform the 2022 Major Update of the Highlands Transit Development Plan.

Submissions: Interested respondents should request a Proposal Package via email to Shannon McPherson at smcpherson@cfrpc.org. A complete package of items specified in the Proposal Package should be mailed or delivered to: Attention: Shannon McPherson; Heartland Regional Transportation Planning Organization, 555 East Church Street, Bartow, FL 33830-3931. All submissions must be received in the HRTPO’s offices by Monday, November 15, 2021, at 4 PM EST.

Questions: Questions should be addressed in writing via email to Shannon McPherson at smcpherson@cfrpc.org no later than 4:00 p.m. EST on Monday, November 1, 2021. Responses shall be in writing. Responses to questions shall be provided to all persons who have requested a copy of this RFP and will be posted on www.heartlandregionaltpo.org website. 

Respondents to this solicitation or persons acting on their behalf may not contact, between the release of the solicitation and the end of the 72-hour period following the agency posting the notice of intended award, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays, any employee or officer of the executive or legislative branch concerning any aspect of this solicitation, except in writing to the procurement officer or as provided in the solicitation documents. Violation of this provision may be grounds for rejecting a response.

The HRTPO reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject all submissions, reissue a subsequent RFP, terminate, restructure or amend this procurement process at any time. This RFP has been reviewed by the Florida Department of Transportation for compliance with applicable State and Federal procurement requirements.

It’s October… Help us Celebrate Florida’s Greenways and Trails!

Florida Greenways and Trails Month originated 20 years ago to highlight Florida’s many different recreational trails and natural spaces. Establishing a connected system of greenways and trails in Florida is a way to link the natural and human environments. To support the creation of a statewide connected system of greenways and trails, the Office of Greenways and Trails continuously works with our public and private partners and stakeholders throughout Florida. Recreational trails and waterways provide places for paddlers, bicyclists, hikers, horseback riders and nature lovers to recreate and experience the natural and cultural attractions offered by our great state.

Trails provide enormous benefits for Florida’s residents, visitors, economy and tourism. In addition, outdoor recreation provides many different health benefits including lower blood pressure, improved physical fitness, enhanced mood and much more.

If you are looking for a new recreational trail to explore, check out the Online Trail Guide for information about 15,160 total miles of recreational trails for hiking, bicycling, equestrian, multi-use, paddling and other recreational uses.

We’ve created a daily calendar of fun outdoor activities to enjoy in October. Register here to keep us up to date on how you are participating in the Greenways and Trails Month Challenge and tag any photos with #OutdoorFlorida.

Click here to download our fun October iPhone background!  

The Heartland Regional Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO) announces the start of a seven-day public comment and review period proposed amendment to the FY 2021/22 through FY 2025/26 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).  The TIP is a list of funded transportation projects covering a period of five years. Adopted each year in June, the TIP is updated by amendment throughout the year to ensure authorization of federal funds.

The proposed amendment includes:

• Roll-Forward Report for the FY 2021/22 to 2025/26 TIP: Each year, there are projects scheduled to be authorized before June 30 (when the previous TIP is in effect), but for various reasons, they do not get authorized. These projects will automatically roll forward in FDOT’s Work Program but need to be accounted for in the TIP. This amendment is being done to account for the roll-forward projects within the TIP.

The comment period for the TIP proposed amendment begins on August 30, 2021, and comments will be accepted through September 7, 2021. The proposed TIP amendment will be presented for adoption to the HRTPO Board at their meeting on September 15, 2021. An opportunity for public comment will be available at the meeting before Board action is taken.

Printed copies are available upon request.  Anyone interested in submitting a comment may do so by contacting Transportation Manager, Marybeth Soderstrom, by email at msoderstrom@cfrpc.org, mail to 555 East Church Street, Bartow, FL 33830, or call (863) 534-7130 x 134.

The Heartland Regional Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO) announces the start of a seven-day public comment and review period for the proposed amendment to the FY 2020/21 through FY 2024/25 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).  The TIP is a list of funded transportation projects covering a period of five years. Adopted each year in June, the TIP is updated by amendment throughout the year to ensure authorization of federal funds.

Proposed amendments to the currently adopted TIP includes new projects identified in the Draft TIP for FY 2021/22 to FY 2025/26, to account for the three-month gap between the State Fiscal Year and Federal Fiscal Year and ensure consistency, including:
• Design phase for SR 80 Median Modification, Hendry County
• Design phase for US 27 Resurfacing, Highlands County
• Rail Safety Project, Highlands County
• Safe Routes to Schools Sidewalk, Okeechobee County
• Design phase for SR 70 Median Modification, Okeechobee County
• Rail Safety Project, Okeechobee County
• 5310 Operating Assistance, Central Florida Regional Planning Council
• 5310 Operating Assistance, Ridge Area ARC

View the Amendment

The comment period for the TIP proposed amendment begins on June 9, 2021, and comments will be accepted through June 15, 2021. The proposed TIP amendment will be presented for adoption to the HRTPO Board at their meeting on June 15, 2021. An opportunity for public comment will be available at the meeting before Board action is taken.

Printed copies are available upon request.  Anyone interested in submitting a comment may do so by contacting Transportation Manager, Marybeth Soderstrom, by email at msoderstrom@cfrpc.org, mail to 555 East Church Street, Bartow, FL 33830, or call (863) 838-9762.