Regional transportation authority seeks public input
Article published on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 |
CLEARWATER – As part of its continuing effort to draft a master plan for transportation solutions, the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority is conducting a community outreach meeting Thursday, March 13 in Clearwater for input from area residents.
The workshop, which is set from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Select, 3535 Ulmerton Road, is one of eight planned in the seven-county region designed to gather feedback on future transportation needs.
A key part of the master plan is public transit projects that connect communities in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, Manatee and Sarasota counties.
TBARTA’s longterm goal is to construct a network of light rail lines, rapid transit buses and highways to serve the region effectively.
Among TBARTA’s preliminary concepts in its master plan are a light rail link between downtown Tampa and St. Petersburg, light rail transportation between Clearwater and St. Petersburg on an existing CSX line, a guideway or monorail-type line from Clearwater to Clearwater Beach, rapid transit bus transportation from St. Petersburg to the beaches, enhanced bus service on U.S. 19 from Pinellas County north to Hernando County and ferry service from downtown St. Petersburg to downtown Tampa with a connection in Apollo Beach.
TBARTA was formed by the Florida Legislature in July and has until July 2009 to submit its master plan to state officials.
Local leaders on the TBARTA board of directors are Pinellas County Commission Chairman Ronnie Duncan and St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker.
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Article published on Tuesday, March 4, 2008
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