An online survey asks residents for their thoughts on three very different transportation and growth scenarios – one focused on technology, another focused on transformative roads and highways, and the third focused on transit. The survey will be available through the end of September.

TAMPA BAY – Residents of Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties have the opportunity to share how they envision the future of our region in a new survey available now through the end of September.

Transportation • Innovation • Mobility for Everyone (TIME) are critical factors as the Tampa Bay region continues to grow. Citizens are encouraged to take the It’s TIME Tampa Bay survey (itstimetampabay.org) to help the three county metropolitan planning organizations – the planning agencies that define priorities and seek funding for transportation projects – create their first joint Long Range Transportation Plan.

The survey asks for thoughts on three very different transportation and growth scenarios – one focused on technology, another focused on transformative roads and highways, and the third focused on transit – based on how each relates to their priorities. It will take a combination of investments to move people around our region, both today and in the future.

“There is no single solution,” said Beth Alden, Hillsborough MPO executive director. “Ultimately, we’ll take the best ideas from each scenario to build the 2045 tri-county transportation plan.”

Survey participants are also asked about their feelings on land use and neighborhood preservation, as well as how they prefer to fund the projects they have rated highly.

“We are an increasingly connected region whose success depends on better transportation and housing choices,” said Whit Blanton, the executive director of Forward Pinellas. “It’s important that everybody helps shape how those choices come to fruition.”

MPOs are required to produce Long Range Transportation Plans every five years, but this is the first plan where all three counties have worked so closely on a regional element as the foundation of the plan. Long Range Transportation Plans identify the major transportation needs for local communities within an urbanized area and enable them to receive critical funding in the future – without inclusion in the plan, a transportation project cannot be eligible for this funding resource and may not be built.

“That’s why this plan is particularly important for residents to give feedback on. It will affect transportation and growth decision-making in Tampa Bay for the next 25 years,” said John Villeneuve, transportation planning manager for Pasco County.

Survey participants are eligible for prize drawings. Seven drawings will be held during the Oct. 2 Hillsborough MPO Board Meeting for pairs of tickets to:

• Tampa Bay Lightning (five single games in the 2018/19 season, one game per winner drawn)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints game (12/9/2018 – 2nd row seats)
• the Palladium Theater at St. Petersburg College (choice of five shows)

The survey at itstimetampabay.org will end Sept. 30.

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