The MPO is currently seeking applications from transportation planners for the position of Planner I. Please spread the word to encourage qualified candidates to apply. Click for details.

I-95 Interchange at 6th Ave. S. in Lake Worth

Two meetings have been scheduled on the same date by the Florida Dept. of Transportation (FDOT) to learn about the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study for the I-95/SR 9 Interchange at 6th Ave. South in Lake Worth. The purpose of the Study is to evaluate improvements at the interchange to reduce congestion and enhance safety, while minimizing potential impacts to the natural and human environments. Visit the project website at www.I95at6thAve.com for more information including a map of the project area and meeting location.

Thursday, June 16 Meeting and Open House

Meeting Location: The Club Managers Association of America Therapeutic Recreation Complex (Special Olympics Training Facility), 2728 Lake Worth Rd., Lake Worth, FL  33461 

Photo above: 6th Ave. S. looking west, east of the I-95 interchange

Draft TIP for Fiscal Years 2017-2021

The Palm Beach MPO is seeking public review and comments for a period of 30 days leading up to adoption of the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for Fiscal Years 2017-2021 by the MPO Governing Board on June 16, 2016. The TIP is a staged program encompassing a five-year period consisting of all regionally significant transportation improvements to all modes of travel in Palm Beach County. The TIP identifies transportation improvements funded by Federal, State, and local sources.  The TIP is based on the Florida Dept. of Transportation's FY 2017-2021 Work Program, and generally moves forward the projects from previous TIPs. Click here to review the Draft TIP, to provide public comments, and for details on the MPO Governing Board meeting of June 16, 2016 where a final TIP document will be adopted.

Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board (LCB)
Wednesday, June 8, 9:30 AM

Location: Palm Tran Connection Conf. Room 2N-123, 50 S. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33415
Agendas: Agenda and backup information are available at PalmBeachMPO.org/meeting

____________________________________________

Road Impact Fee Alternatives Ad Hoc Committee
Monday, June 13, 1:30 PM

Location: MPO Conf. Room 4E-12, 2300 N. Jog Rd., West Palm Beach, FL 33411
Description: This MPO ad-hoc committee will meet to discuss and review alternatives to the current road impact fee system used in Palm Beach County in order to mitigate multimodal impacts of new development.  
Public Notice: The meeting is open to the public and multiple members of the MPO Governing Board and its advisory committee representatives are likely to attend.

____________________________________________

MPO Governing Board
Thursday, June 16, 9:00 AM

Location: Palm Beach County Governmental Center, 12th Floor Conference Room, 301 N. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach, FL  33401
Agenda: The agenda and backup will be posted a week in advance of the meeting at www.PalmBeachMPO.org/meeting   

Agenda Highlights

• Approval of the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for Fiscal Years 2017-2021
• Draft 5-Year Strategic Plan Presentation and voting for priority objectives to be included in the plan
• Palm Beach County Road Impact Fees Presentation
• Palm Beach County Airports Briefing 

____________________________________________

Complete calendar of all MPO meetings, events and related community activities:
PalmBeachMPO.org/calendar

MPO Advisory Committees - June Highlights

On behalf of the MPO, Jessica Josselyn of Kittelson and Associates led each of the MPO's advisory committees through an exercise to identify top priorities for the MPO's draft 5-Year Strategic Plan. The Plan will define a mission and vision for the MPO, along with goals and objectives consistent with the MPO's recently adopted Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) for Fiscal Years 2017 and 2018. The cumulative rankings by each committee for the draft objectives are included in the presentation links below.

5-Year Strategic Plan Presentations and Responses: Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) presentation and responses Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) presentation and responses Bicycle, Trailways, Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BTPAC) presentation and responses

In addition, presentations were made to one or more of the advisory committees on the following items. Click on each to review presentation slides.

• Draft Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for Fiscal Years 2017-2021 (Action Item)
• Palm Beach County Airports (Information Item - TAC only)
• Bicycle, Trailways, Pedestrian Advisory Committee Bylaws (Action Item - BTPAC only)

Access online agendas, backup materials, presentations, minutes and audio recordings of past meetings of the MPO Governing Board, its advisory committees, and the Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board: PalmBeachMPO.org/meeting 

____________________________________________

North Shore Neighborhood Special Meeting

The North Shore Neighborhood hosted a special meeting to learn about the concept of "Complete Streets" and how the design goals of making streets inviting and safer for users of all ages and abilities could potentially be applied to Australian Avenue in West Palm Beach. Palm Beach County Commissioner Priscilla Taylor invited MPO Executive Director Nick Uhren as the guest presenter. Also present were County Engineer George Webb, Assistant County Engineer Tanya McConnell, Palm Tran Executive Director Clinton Forbes and City of West Palm Beach Assistant Administrator Scott Kelly. The group discussed the possibilities for a redesign of Australian Ave. to incorporate improved facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians, smaller improvements that potentially be made in the shorter term, and potential funding sources for improvements.

Flagler Memorial Bridge Replacement Project

• Flagler Memorial Bridge will be closed in both directions around-the-clock from 10:00 PM Friday, June 3 until 6 AM Monday, June 6. 
• While the bridge is closed, all vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle traffic will be detoured to the Royal Park Bridge. 

____________________________________________

Quiet Zones Status

• Multiple roadway closures are anticipated in upcoming weeks due to rail construction, with most lasting four or five days. Click for current information on FEC grade crossing closures.

All local governments within Phase 1 of the All Aboard Florida project have filed Notices of Intent to establish Quiet Zones along the FEC rail corridor. This will allow for a continuous Quiet Zone from Broward County through West Palm Beach when Brightline passenger rail service begins, currently scheduled for 2017. All Aboard Florida continues to install MPO-funded Supplemental Safety Measures to meet requirements for the establishment of the Quiet Zone. Quiet Zones are stretches of rail corridor where the routine blowing of train horns is not required for passenger or freight trains due to the installation of supplemental safety features at roadway crossings along the route. The Palm Beach MPO is committed to providing any necessary support to enable a continuation of the Quiet Zone through northern Palm Beach County when All Aboard Florida proceeds with Phase II construction to Orlando.

For more information including an interactive map of all Palm Beach County grade crossings along the FEC corridor, click here. 

Train Safety Awareness Week

The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) has declared June 5-11 as Train Safety Awareness Week. Members of the railroad industry, law enforcement, and emergency responders will conduct an information blitz to educate the public about the laws and rules governing activity around train tracks and grade crossings. They will be posted at grade crossings where they will be issuing warnings and citations to drivers and pedestrians who do not adhere to the laws relating to trains and tracks. Florida ranks third in the nation in railroad trespass fatalities. For more information, call 1-800-TRI-RAIL (874-7245) or log onto www.Tri-Rail.com. 

____________________________________________

Take the Train to the Plane

Tri-Rail now offers a direct shuttle service to the terminal at Palm Beach International Airport from the West Palm Beach station. Click here.

____________________________________________

West Palm Beach Trolley Schedule Changes

The Blue Trolley line with service to Northwood Village and the Palm Beach Outlets is taking a seasonal recess. Summer service remains unchanged for the Yellow and Green lines throughout downtown West Palm Beach, including connections to the West Palm Beach Tri-Rail station and Intermodal Center. Click here.

Florida Dept. Of Transportation (FDOT) Resources

• Public Notices for FDOT District 4 - click here 
  FDOT District 4 includes the following counties:  Palm Beach, Broward, Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River.
   
• Map of FDOT Construction Projects in Palm Beach County - click here. 
  Click on traffic cone icons for project names. Future plans include the addition of supplemental project information.