Summary
Transportation remains one of Tampa Bay’s greatest challenges. The enclosed Op-Ed presents support from three major transit organization leaders as well as support from the business community (via The Tampa Bay Partnership) for the prospective Tri-County Metropolitan Planning Organization which would serve Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties.
TAMPA, Fla. – November 20, 2023- When we work together, we can achieve what no individual, organization, or county can accomplish alone.
Tampa Bay must address long-standing transportation infrastructure needs, including better regional connectivity. The proposed regional MPO that will serve the needs of Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties is essential to addressing these needs.
“The time is overdue for us to speak from one powerful voice with one goal: To improve mobility, connectivity and transit options for this rapidly growing region,” said Tampa International Airport CEO Joe Lopano, 2024 Chair of the Tampa Bay EDC. “Regional collaboration has been key to our success in attracting new airline routes and positioning ourselves as a global destination. We need to apply the same strategy to funding solutions we desperately need for those who live, work and play here.”
In 2023, Tampa Bay ranked first among comparison communities in net migration. The region’s glowing reputation continues to attract new residents and businesses, and over 3.5 million people are projected to move into the three-county area by 2035.
Additionally, over 20% of Tampa Bay workers commute across county lines daily. Limited public transit options and poor regional connectivity exacerbate congestion and long commute times. Changing travel patterns and increased growth on the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway have exceeded 2019 pre-COVID projections, with 20% growth in traffic, according to the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority. The Selmon West Extension over Gandy Boulevard has already reached 2030 traffic predictions. We must take action to advance and improve existing infrastructure for our workers, employers, and residents.
Port Tampa Bay employs staff from Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties and understands that a robust transportation system contributes to job satisfaction and improves quality of life.
“Port Tampa Bay is proud to serve our region and community. As West Central Florida’s single largest economic driver, we see the value of strengthening infrastructure for current residents and as a way to attract talented staff and businesses to relocate to Tampa Bay,” said Paul Anderson, Port Tampa Bay President and CEO.
If we successfully reimagine our transportation planning approach, we will have the largest MPO by population in the state, with almost 3 million residents.
Given our sheer size, regional funding requests will be more likely to succeed simply because they impact more Florida residents. Our volume of residents will improve our likelihood of obtaining significant dollars for transportation projects.
Furthermore, federal regulations and state statutes are in favor of communities forming regional MPOs, a practice that is widely utilized across the nation. Greg Slater, CEO & Executive Director of Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA), has experienced the benefits firsthand. During his career, he worked with many MPOs, including The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board, which consisted of two states and the District of Columbia, eight counties, and 14 municipalities and urbanized areas; and The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board, which covered six counties and Baltimore City.
“Regardless of the size of the regional MPO, the focus was truly the success of the region balanced with voicing the needs of each jurisdiction,” said Slater. “Tampa Bay is growing at a rapid pace, and to succeed, we will need all transportation options in the conversation to benefit all the residents and businesses we serve. To that, we must collaborate on these opportunities as a cohesive region.”
State Legislators have consistently shared that the Tampa Bay region has a disjointed message, with counties advocating for disparate interests and piecemeal funding requests. A regional MPO can present a collaborative priority list for federal and state dollars. Regional scope uplifts projects that benefit all in the region.
This year, Directors from PlanHillsborough, ForwardPinellas, and Pasco MPO approved a version of the drafted MOU for a Tri-County MPO. Local county commissioners have held two Tri-County Commission meetings. Now, more than ever before, we see a willingness to think regionally and collaborate for the good of all of our residents.
We win when we work together. Regional support helped us to earn $1 billion in funding from the Governor and State Legislature for the Westshore Interchange, which supports residents and commuters from across Tampa Bay. A Tri-County MPO opens the door for similar success.
The time is right, conditions are ready, and the benefits are clear. For these reasons, we strongly support the creation of a regional MPO.
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Bemetra Simmons is president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Partnership, a coalition of regional business and non-profit leaders working together to improve Tampa Bay residents’ personal and economic well-being.
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About the Tampa Bay Partnership
The Tampa Bay Partnership is a coalition of regional business and nonprofit leaders joined by a shared commitment to improving the personal and economic well-being of Tampa Bay residents. Formally incorporated in 1994 and re-established in 2016 as a regional research and public policy organization, the Partnership works with Tampa Bay’s top employers and a diverse group of government and nonprofit partners to identify and address our region’s greatest challenges and create new opportunities for the future. Learn more at www.tampabay.org/.
For more information, please contact:
Media Contact:
Shannon Kalahar
Senior Director of Strategic Communications,
Tampa Bay Partnership
(727) 741-5440 (cell)
skalahar@tampabay.org