At the 24th Annual Future of the Region Awards held on Friday, April 22, the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA) received the first place award in the Transportation and Mobility Category for its regional transportation 2015 Master Plan Update.
The awards luncheon, sponsored by the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, provides honor and recognition for notable achievements in the public and private sectors for resource planning and management across the Tampa Bay region in five categories, including Built Environment; Natural Environment; Economy and Energy; Community Preparedness; and Transportation and Mobility.
The 2015 Master Plan Update was recognized for its exemplary and innovative public engagement and cost-saving planning strategies, as well as providing the region a focused, yet flexible mechanism for continued impact capable of building consensus for major transportation investments crucial to creating quality communities, economic competitiveness and sustainable development.
“The TBARTA Master Plan process brings all of the stakeholders in the Tampa Bay region together to speak with one voice the transportation issues that require attention,” said Executive Director, Ray Chiaramonte. “By working together, we are able to identify immediate transportation solutions, and lay out a strategic plan to move our region forward in coordinating the right cumulative initiatives to accomplish the longer range regional vision - a strong, sustainable and resilient Tampa Bay for generations to come.”
TBARTA finalized and adopted its Master Plan Update for the seven-county West Central Florida area covering Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties, as well as Polk County in June of 2015. The Plan is updated every five years, according to Florida Statute, and is developed by TBARTAs Board and Committees in collaboration with the TBARTA Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPOs) Chairs Coordinating Committee (CCC) — representing each of the region’s MPOs as well as the Polk County Transportation Planning Organization, ensuring consistency with the MPOs Long Range Transportation Plans (LRTPs).
