3802 Spectrum Boulevard, Suite 306
Tampa, FL 33612
Phone: 813.282.8200
Fax: 813.282.8700
www.TBARTA.com
www.TBARTA.com
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Board Members
FROM:
Bob Clifford
DATE:
6 Dec 12
SUBJECT:
Regional Priorities Discussion
For your consideration and input, here are my thoughts on TBARTA regional priorities. There
are many different ways to approach the issue and with a short time frame I have attempted to
boil it down into what I believe are manageable “ready to go” asks. The individual project
specifics and “asks” may be revised by the owners/implementers as necessary but the core of
the priority and “ask” is anticipated to remain.
Purpose
Since our inception, TBARTA has discussed regional projects and priorities. As you are aware,
TBARTA’s organizing legislation states that, “The authority’s purpose is to improve mobility and
expand multimodal transportation options for passengers and freight throughout the sevencounty region”. The legislation further states that TBARTA should work with all partners
(including the private sector), prioritize projects, and insure a seamless regional and local
transportation system. Simply stated one of TBARTA’s core missions is to develop, address,
advocate, and support resolution of the region’s transportation needs.
Certainly, there are many agencies, entities, and partners who have significant roles in the
planning, development, and ultimate success of transportation projects in the region. TBARTA
has a broad regional membership and relationships with partners such as FDOT, West Central
Florida Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) Chairs Coordinating Committee (CCC),
transit agencies, airport and seaport Authorities, CSX, and private sector entities such as the
Tampa Bay Partnership. Our membership and partnerships, along with our focus on regional
transportation, well position TBARTA to assist partners in the development of projects and
perhaps more importantly, be the region’s advocate for transportation priorities.
Over the course of the last year, in our discussions regarding advancing transportation in the
region we have reviewed and discussed projects, funding, public private partnerships, and
opportunities. Further, both FDOT and the Tampa Bay Partnership have specifically asked
TBARTA to take the lead and develop and advocate for regional project priorities. The Bay Area
Legislative Delegation has also discussed the need for such priorities and for TBARTA to fill the
role. Additionally, similar to other regions in the state they all encouraged us to plan and “dream
big” but focus on specific near term implementable “ready to go” projects with clearly defined
“asks”. Accordingly, our regional priorities effort is focused on such projects.
Background
Many of the entities listed above have specific authority and requirements to develop project
priorities. The projects and priorities are analyzed and adopted in individual MPO Long Range
Transportation Plans, CCC Regional Long Range Transportation Plan, Master Plans (including
TBARTA’s), Transit Development Plans, Florida Transportation Plan, Strategic Intermodal
System (SIS) Plan, and other local specific plans. These plans are ongoing and a significant
amount of resource goes in to developing these plans. The projects and priorities in these plans
are developed in the planning process using extensive criteria such as: ability to address needs,
growth, economic development/redevelopment; provide options and alternatives; cost
effectiveness; geographic balance; community and business input; community vision and
funding availability.
However, the Tampa Bay Region has yet to develop a specific project list and “ask” that they
can aggressively advocate for. Recently, the CCC staff (with TBARTA staff participation) has
developed a draft list of ten High Priority Major Transportation Initiatives. These initiatives which
were developed from information in the aforementioned plans are a good basis to start from but
do not get down to specific projects or “asks”.
The point is the appropriate entities have developed their projects and priorities in an extensive
public planning process. The regional projects and priorities identified are all important and
supportable and part of our Master Plan. Therefore, additional detailed planning analysis is not
necessary for TBARTA to develop regional priorities.
Priorities
In developing TBARTA priorities it’s important to consider several factors: Is the project
regional? Does it provide connectivity to transportation spines and major activity centers? Is the
project ready to advance forward and can it be reasonably implemented soon? Is it multimodal?
Is the project defined, understandable, and supported? Is there an “ask”? Can the project bring
other funds and or projects to the table?
Based on these factors and on projects and priorities identified in the aforementioned plans the
following projects are recommended for prioritization and “ask”.


I-275 Managed Lanes (Howard Frankland Bridge/SR 60-Memorial interchange and
connection to Veterans Expressway) - The project: a SIS facility will support roadway
and premium transit connections between Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties and
Tampa International Airport. The ask: $75 million to finish Right of Way acquisition and
move forward with a Design Build construction contract.
Suncoast Parkway 2 – The project: a 60 percent designed SIS facility, will support
roadway connections between Hernando and Citrus Counties and northwest Florida with



the urbanized core of the Tampa Bay region. The ask: $100 million for advanced right of
way acquisition.
Roosevelt Connector – The project: an extensively designed planned SIS potential toll
roadway facility, with premium transit ability, in Pinellas County connecting the Bayside
Bridge, St Petersburg  Clearwater International Airport, the greater Gateway business
district, and I-275. The ask: $50 million to finish Right of Way acquisition and move
forward with a Design Build contract.
Port Manatee Connector – The project: a PD&E studied freight toll facility connecting
Port Manatee with I-75. The ask: $20 million for preliminary design and toll analysis.
SR 54/56 Managed Lanes – The project: a partially PD&E under study managed lane
facility with premium transit connecting the Suncoast Parkway and I-75 (the northern
portion of the Tampa Bay Beltway). The ask: $20 million for additional PD&E, preliminary
design, and toll analysis.