Latest News – Page 11

COVID-19 Update: March HRTPO Committee Meetings

March 16, 2020

The health, safety and overall well being of our family, and yours is always our top priority. With this in mind, we have been closely monitoring the rapidly-changing situation around COVID-19 (commonly referred to as coronavirus), responding to new information as it arises and preparing for all possible scenarios. Following the guidance of our Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), we have the goal of the timely completion of all HRTPO tasks throughout the duration of an emergency, regardless of the nature and duration of that emergency.

We are taking the following steps: The Technical Advisory Committee Meeting scheduled for March 18 will still take place, but members and guests are encouraged to attend via teleconference. Join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone: https://www.gotomeet.me/cfrpc/hrtpo-technical-advisory-committee. You can also dial in using your phone: (646) 749-3122 using access code: 179-710-813. Any member that attends via teleconference will be counted as present and have the ability to vote on action items. The meeting will be as brief as possible, but we MUST HAVE A QUORUM so please call in to join the meeting! The Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting scheduled for March 26 will still take place, but members and guests are encouraged to attend via teleconference. Join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/652523141. You can also dial in using your phone: (872) 240-3311 using access code: 652-523-141. Any member that attends via teleconference will be counted as present and have the ability to vote on action items. The meeting will be as brief as possible, but we MUST HAVE A QUORUM so please call in to join the meeting! Information around the COVID-19 outbreak is changing rapidly and we will provide additional updates in the coming weeks. If you have questions please contact Marybeth Soderstrom, Transportation Director, at (863) 534-7130 ext 134 or msoderstrom@cfrpc.org.

Public Comment Period Open: Draft Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) for HRTPO

March 6, 2020

The Heartland Regional Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO) is seeking comments from the public on the Draft Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) for Fiscal Years 2020/21 – 2021/22. The UPWP describes the transportation planning projects to be performed within the HRTPO area and includes the following components:

Summarizes planning tasks to be completed by the HRTPO
Defines work products and timeline for major activities
Proposes budget using federal and other funds for planning
Estimates cost for each task

The UPWP identifies the work tasks for two budget years, from July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2022. Development of the UPWP is required to detail the tasks that will be undertaken by the HRTPO, its staff, and committees. The draft UPWP must be reviewed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), and approved by June 30. The adopted UPWP forms the basis for federal and state transportation planning funds to be granted through agreements or grants to the HRTPO.

View the draft plan here.

The comment period for the Draft UPWP begins on March 6, 2020, and comments will be accepted through April 6, 2020. After the comment period closes and all input has been considered, the Draft UPWP will be presented for final adoption to the HRTPO Board on April 15, 2020, with at least seven (7) days public notice. The documents may be found at www.heartlandregionaltpo.org.

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

Proposed Amendment to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

February 11, 2020

The Heartland Regional Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO) announces the start of a seven-day public comment and review period proposed amendment to the FY 2019/20 through FY 2023/24 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:

Transit Project 435862-1, Central Florida Regional Planning Council – This amendment adds $818,050 in local and 5310 operating assistance funding for FY 2020 (Project Service Area: DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee Counties)
Transit Project 436957-1, Central Florida Regional Planning Council – This amendment adds $240,000 in local and 5311 capital assistance funding for FY 2020 (Project Service Area: DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, and Okeechobee Counties) for mobility management
Transit Project 445868-1, Central Florida Regional Planning Council – This amendment adds $286,000 in local and 5311 operating assistance funding for FY 2020 (Project Service Area: DeSoto County)
Transit Project 436948-1, Ridge Area ARC – This amendment adds $99,952 in local and 5311 operating assistance funding for FY 2020 (Project Service Area: Highlands County)

The comment period for the TIP proposed amendment begins on February 12, 2020, and comments will be accepted through February 18, 2020. The proposed TIP amendment will be presented for adoption to the HRTPO Board at their meeting on February 19, 2020. 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.