Enhancing Communities from Downtown Tampa to USF

Introduction

The HART TOD Pilot Project is focused on the future of communities along the planned routes for HART’s Arterial Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project and the City of Tampa's Streetcar Extension project. The project study area extends from Downtown Tampa to the University of South Florida (USF) along Florida and Fowler Avenues, with a section at the north end running from Florida Avenue to Fowler Avenue along Linebaugh Avenue and Nebraska Avenue. Project recommendations will focus on the future of communities within the study area and also be designed to be applicable to other transit corridors across the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County.

Study Area

Project Schedule

The project is organized around three main phases:

A more detailed schedule can be accessed here.

Study Goals

The goals for this project include:

1. Provide for meaningful stakeholder & public engagement;
2. Increase awareness of the benefits of enhanced transit & transit oriented development;
3. Focus on policies, plans & initiatives to build ridership & support transit investment;
4. Ensure project recommendations advance city & county goals; and
5. Ensure recommendations, tools & strategies are responses to corridor conditions.

For more detailed information on the goals, click here.

About the HART Arterial BRT Study

The Arterial BRT Study will examine the potential for a Bus Rapid Transit line with all exclusive guideway and full Transit Signal Priority focusing on the Florida and Fowler Avenue corridors. The project will foster development that supports local land use plans as well as long‐term economic growth. The study will focus on how the proposed new bus service can best meet the needs of existing bus riders, as well as those who may not have chosen to use this form of transportation before.

About the Tampa Streetcar Extension and Modernization Study

The Tampa Streetcar Project calls for the modernization and extension of the existing Tampa Streetcar system which was originally constructed nearly 20 years ago. Downtown Tampa is experiencing a renaissance, transforming into a regional magnet for creative class employment, urban living, entertainment and education. Under the project, the existing streetcar service will be modernized and upgraded to improve efficiency and enhance accessibility. The system will also be extended into the heart of Tampa’s central business district along Florida Avenue and Tampa Street to connect premier employment, cultural and entertainment destinations; regional transportation hubs; and rapidly revitalizing urban neighborhoods.

About the Heights Mobility Study

The Heights Mobility Study is an effort to improve safety and mobility in the Greater Seminole Heights/Tampa Heights area, especially along the Florida Avenue and Tampa Street/Highland Avenue corridor between downtown Tampa and the Hillsborough River. Additionally, the Study Team will work with the community to develop a long-term vision for transportation improvements in the area.

About the Regional Rapid Transit Project

Regional Rapid Transit, or RRT, is a concept to build a bus rapid transit (BRT) project connecting Downtown St. Petersburg, the Gateway area, Westshore, Downtown Tampa, the USF area, and Wesley Chapel primarily along I-275. This Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study will advance the concept by determining the amount of the route that is dedicated (uses a lane separate from cars), where the stations will be and what amenities they will have, and how the vehicles will get to the stations. This study will also determine approximately how much it will cost and how it will be paid for. To get to these answers, the team is conducting the design and engineering and identifying possible impacts to the environment and community and how to address and potentially alleviate the impacts. The team will also identify the best vehicle to use, and design how the service will operate.

About the FTA's Pilot Program for TOD Planning

This project is partially funded through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Pilot Program for TOD Planning which provides funding to local communities to integrate land use and transportation planning in new fixed guideway and core capacity transit project corridors. As required by statute, any comprehensive planning funded through the pilot program must examine ways to improve economic development and ridership, foster multimodal connectivity and accessibility, improve transit access for pedestrian and bicycle traffic, engage the private sector, identify infrastructure needs and enable mixed-use development near transit stations. Click here for more information.