Upcoming Meetings

Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is hosting upcoming meetings:

Monday, May 15:

(VIRTUAL)

Transportation System Management & Operation Committee (TSM&O) at 8:00 AM:

You can join the virtual meeting via the Webex link which you can find in the agenda packet.

To access the agenda packet, click here.

Destination Zero Advisory Group (DZAG) at 10:00 AM:

You can join the virtual meeting via the Webex link which you can find in the agenda packet.

To access the agenda packet, click here.

Tuesday, May 16:

Community Traffic Safety Team (CTST) at 1:00 PM:

You can attend the meeting at the MPO office (8100 15th St E, Sarasota, FL 34243) or via the Webex link which you can find in the agenda packet.

To access the agenda packet, click here.

Wednesday, May 17:

Manatee Local Coordinating Board (MLCB) at 10:00 AM

You can join the virtual meeting via the Webex link which you can find in the agenda packet on the MPO meetings page tomorrow, Wednesday, May 10.

Manatee and Sarasota LCBs Annual Workshop at 12:00 PM

You can attend the workshop at the MPO office (8100 15th St E, Sarasota, FL 34243).

Sarasota Local Coordinating Board (SLCB) at 1:00 PM

You can join the virtual meeting via the Webex link which you can find in the agenda packet on the MPO meetings page tomorrow, Wednesday, May 10.

For all other information regarding MPO meetings, please click here to visit the meetings page on our website.

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Draft Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Available for Public Review and Comment through May 22, 2023!

Each year the Sarasota/Manatee MPO updates the 5 Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The new Draft TIP for FY 2023/24—2027/28 is now available for public review and comment.

If you would like to download the TIP, please visit the MPO Website by clicking here.

Provide feedback at Sarasota/Manatee MPO’s TIP project page at https://publicinput.com/u5505.

Background: The process to develop the 2023/24-2027/28 TIP started on February 28, 2022, when the MPO Board adopted its 2022 Project Priority List. That list was forwarded to FDOT to prepare its Draft Tentative Five-Year Work Program which includes roadway improvements, transportation alternatives, bridge, safety, and public transportation projects (i.e. transit, aviation, port, intermodal, and transportation disadvantaged program projects).

The TIP will be presented at upcoming committee meetings on May 8th and will be presented to the MPO Board at their next MPO Board meeting on May 22, 2023. The TIP must be submitted to FDOT by July 15, 2023.

Share your feedback with us!

Online at https://publicinput.com/u5505.
Email your comments to ryan@mympo.org or wenonah@mympo.org
Mail your comments: 
      ATTN: PUBLIC COMMENT FOR TIP
      8100 15^th Street East, Sarasota, FL 34243
Call the office at 941-359-5772
Comment at a Sarasota/Manatee MPO Meeting
     Technical Advisory Committee Meeting: May 8th at 10:00 am
     Citizen Advisory Committee Meeting: May 8th at 5:00 pm
     MPO Board Meeting: May 22 at 9:30 am

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PUBLIC SURVEY | LECOM Park and Village of the Arts Mobility Study

The LECOM Park and Village of the Arts Mobility Study seeks to better understand how people move within and through the area, whether they’re walking, riding a bike, driving a car or truck, or riding transit.

WE NEED YOUR INPUT!

This survey will help us understand current and future travel needs and wants in the Study area. Help shape the outcome of the LECOM/VOTA Mobility Study by sharing your experiences, observations, and thoughts in this brief survey. 

Click here to take the survey!

Click here to see the community engagement section on the study website!

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Connecting Communities in Sarasota and Manatee Counties Questionnaire

Your input is important! Completing this brief questionnaire provides valuable feedback on community preferences. Your feedback will assist and guide the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) with the development of community-sensitive project solutions for enhancing the transportation network within Sarasota and Manatee counties. This questionnaire is anonymous, and all questions are optional.

Your input will help enhance the Sarasota/Manatee area transportation network for all roadway users (drivers, transit users, pedestrians, and bicyclists).

Click here to complete this brief, online questionnaire by June 30, 2023.

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Ride of Silence 2023 in Sarasota!

Join cyclists worldwide in a silent slow-paced ride (max. 12 mph/20kph) in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways.

Why does this organization exist?

• To honor those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways

• To raise awareness that we are here

• To ask that WE ALL SHARE THE ROAD

This information is from www.rideofsilence.org/main.php, which you can also get to by clicking here!

Details on Ride of Silence in the Sarasota:

Date: Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM (EST)

Location: Robarts Sports Arena Parking Lot (3000 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34237)

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An Overview of FHWA's Proven Safety Countermeasures

This course will provide participants with an overview of the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Proven Safety Countermeasures. Attendees will also hear from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) about how these countermeasures are being applied throughout the state.

FHWA’s Proven Safety Countermeasures initiative (PSCi) is a collection of 28 countermeasures and strategies effective in reducing roadway fatalities and serious injuries on our Nation’s highways. Transportation agencies are strongly encouraged to consider widespread implementation of PSCs to accelerate the achievement of local, State, and National safety goals. These strategies are designed for all road users and all kinds of roads—from rural to urban, from high-volume freeways to less traveled two-lane State and county roads, from signalized crossings to horizontal curves, and everything in between. Each countermeasure addresses at least one safety focus area – speed management, intersections, roadway departures, or pedestrians/bicyclists – while others are crosscutting strategies that address multiple safety focus areas.

SPEAKERS: Kevin Burgess, FHWA & Brenda Young, FDOT

Webinar Course: An Overview of FHWA's Proven Safety Countermeasures

Date: Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Time: 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM (EST)

Register here!

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Vision Zero Network Webinar | Leveraging SS4A Funding for Vision Zero: Round 2

More than $1 billion is available in Round 2 from the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program, led by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The grant deadline is July 10, 2023.

In this webinar, [they will] highlight those elements of the new grant program that [they are] most excited about to plan, pilot and implement strong Vision Zero efforts at the local, regional and tribal levels. [They] invite communities of all sizes and types, including rural, suburban, urban, and tribal lands, to join. Don't miss this opportunity to gain new ideas and strategies to make effective and equitable safety improvements in your community.

Zoom Webinar: Leveraging SS4A Funding for Vision Zero: Round 2

Date: Thursday, May 11, 2023

Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (EST)

To register & read more, click here!

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Safe Routes Partnership Webinar | Let Them Lead: Engaging High School Students in Safe Routes Projects

High schools are now eligible for federal Safe Routes to School funding! This means new possibilities for connecting Safe Routes to issues teens care about, from climate justice to distracted driving to digital media. Join Safe Routes Partnership as they explore best practices for working with high school students. Learn about building trust, getting program buy-in, and giving teens what they need to lead their own projects.

Webinar Topic: Let Them Lead: Engaging High School Students in Safe Routes Projects

Date: Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Time: 2:00 PM (EST)

Register here!

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Manatee County Area Transit | Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) Program Eligibility Update

Manatee County Area Transit is updating eligibility for its Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) program!

Effective July 1, 2023, residents may qualify for TD services based on age, income, or disability. To learn more about the TD program and other transportation services, contact their office at (941) 748-2317.

Click here to learn more about the Transportation Disadvantaged program on their website!

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FDOT Kickoff Meeting for Desoto Bridge Replacement PD&E Study

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) invites you to a kickoff meeting for the DeSoto Bridge Replacement Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study from SR 64 (Manatee Ave. E.) to Haben Blvd. in Manatee County.

This kickoff meeting is being held to present information about the study and provide the opportunity for the public to offer feedback.

You can participate in the kickoff meeting live online or in-person. The same materials will be displayed at both the online and in-person events, and will also be posted by May 22, 2023, on the project website.

IN-PERSON OPTION: Attend the kickoff meeting on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd, Palmetto, FL 34221. Visit the meeting any time between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to view the project video and displays, speak with project team members, and submit comments or questions.

LIVE ONLINE OPTION: Attend virtually on Thursday, May 25, 2023, starting at 5:00 p.m. This event will include a viewing of the project information and a live question-and-answer component with the project team.  Please review the materials (available on the project webpage by date) before attending the virtual event. Register in advance by visiting https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2199721875706127703 or on the project website. Once registered, attendees will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the kickoff meeting online. Please note, Internet Explorer cannot be used to register or attend this event.

WEBSITE: View all materials online at swflroads.com/project/442630-1.

Comments may be provided through the project website and questions can be answered by calling the FDOT project manager, Steven Andrews at (863) 519-2270.

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Safe Routes to School Summit 2023

This three-day virtual summit will be filled with presentations and networking opportunities for Safe Routes practitioners, partners, and champions. Early Bird registration is open and continues until September 15, allowing you to expend funding from this fiscal year's budget or utilize any available grant funding. Detailed ticket information is below.

Ticket Prices:

• Early Bird - $99.00 (sale ends Sept. 15)
• Regular Rate - $125.00 (begins Sept. 16)
• Community Rate - $25.00 (parent volunteer? community member? Safe Routes to School not your part or full-time job? Please join us at this deeply discounted "community rate."

To register multiple participants or to pay via invoice or check, please complete this registration form and they will follow up with you: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DDKD5RW.

Click here for more information!

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USDOT FY23 Safe Streets and Roads for All | Notice of Funding Opportunity

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) established the new Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over 5 years. The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.

The SS4A program supports Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg’s National Roadway Safety Strategy and the Department’s goal of zero deaths and serious injuries on our nation’s roadways. 

The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity is to solicit applications for Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grants. Funds for the fiscal year 2023 SS4A grant program are to be awarded on a competitive basis to support planning, infrastructure, behavioral, and operational initiatives to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets involving all roadway users, including pedestrians; bicyclists; public transportation, personal conveyance, and micromobility users; motorists; and commercial vehicle operators.

The deadline for applications is 5:00 p.m. (EDT) Monday, July 10, 2023. Late applications will not be accepted.

For more details, click here!

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Traffic Watch for Manatee and Sarasota Counties

FOR WEEK OF May 7, 2023

Motorists are reminded to wear safety belts and drive with caution, courtesy, common sense, and patience as they travel through work zones. Remember, speeding fines are doubled in work zones.

As a reminder, travelers can visit www.FL511.com or dial “511” from their phone to learn about traffic conditions on major roadways across the state. If you know before you go, you can plan accordingly and save time and money.

Read More

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ICYMI ::Transform 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan

On October 26, 2020, the MPO Board adopted the Transform 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan. It is with great pleasure to present a short video montage of the efforts taken over the past two years by elected officials, technical professionals, and most importantly, the public. Enjoy!