FDOT Draft Work Program Available for Public Comment

Click to view the video, "Understanding the Work Program" Click to review the Draft Work Program materials by county, as well as scheduled Turnpike projects and District-wide projects. Click here or see below for details for public participation in the FDOT pubic hearing on Nov. 30 in person or by webinar, and how to submit comments to FDOT throughout the public comment period. _________________________________________ Workshop for Potential Applicants of MPO Funding Programs - Dec. 15 The MPO and its partners from FDOT will host a workshop for potential applicants of the MPO annual funding programs including the Local Initiatives and Transportation Alternatives programs. The workshop will be held on Dec. 15  at 9:00 AM. The location will be the MPO conference room 4E-12, 2300 N. Jog Rd., West Palm Beach, FL 33411. Full application package materials will be posted to the MPO website at www.PalmBeachMPO.org/Funding, and applications will be due on March 3, 2017. _________________________________________ DOT Seeks Proposals for Automated Vehicle Technology "Proving Grounds" Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx launched a new Automation Proving Ground Pilot Program on Nov. 23. The Department of Transportation will designate facilities as qualified proving grounds for the safe testing, demonstration and deployment of automated vehicle technology. Read more.  _________________________________________ FHWA Road Diet Training The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will offer training on Road Diets, a name for a roadway reconfiguration that reduces the number of traffic lanes to achieve a "complete streets" environment that accommodates a variety of transportation modes. The primary benefits include enhanced safety, mobility and access for all road users. The target audience for the training includes all transportation engineers, pedestrian and bicycle adn Safe Routes to school program coordinators, local police, fire, EMS and transit personnel and community leaders. Click to register for a two-part training that begins with a webinar on Jan. 19. The webinar is a prerequisite for a live class and walking site visit to be conducted in the Village of Tequesta on Feb. 3. Click here. As a local case study, U.S. One through Tequesta has been approved for a Road Diet with a reduction from six to four traffic lanes when construction begins in 2017.

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Public Transit Day - Dec. 9

Take the Public Transit Day pledge to use Palm Tran or Tri-Rail on Dec. 9. Then share your experiences on social media using #PublicTransitDay. Be part of a regional movement for a more livable, active, accessible transportation system. Learn more at www.PublicTransitDay.com.

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Apply for Community Recognition for Complete Streets and Other Best Practices to Improve Health

Local jurisdictions have until Dec. 2 to apply for recognition by the Florida Dept. Health as a Healthy Weight Community Champion. Qualifying best practices include adoption of a complete streets program or other measures to support safe walking and bicycling for all ages and abilities; walking trail connectivity; programs to identify and reduce missing sidewalk links and needed repairs; and other investments to increase physical activity. Go to Healthy Weight Community Champion - 2017 Recognition Program.

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Safety is Golden Mobility Fair - Dec. 6

In support of Older Driver Safety Awareness week in December, the Safety is Golden Mobility Fair in Boca Raton will offer indoor activities and exhibits including a Palm Beach MPO display. Local and state mobility and transportation experts will share resources with older adults on topics ranging from the impacts of aging on driving, and planning future mobility needs, including the use of alternatives including walking, biking and transit. Outdoors, an event will take place to allow drivers to find the perfect fit with their automobiles. This free and interactive event is open to the public to share information with drivers, families, and caregivers. Click for details.

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First Regional Safe Streets Summit - Jan. 26-27, 2017

Save the date! Now accepting registrations and sponsors for the first regional Safe Streets Summit. With a reputation for incredible, nationally known speakers, the Broward MPO has hosted the Summit for three previous years. Now including the Palm Beach and Miami-Dade MPOs, the 2017 Safe Streets Summit will be held at the Sunrise Civic Center, and future Summit locations will rotate throughout the region. Updates will be provided as speakers are confirmed and the agenda is finalized. Potential sponsors/ exhibitors should inquire now for maximum recognition!

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Mail Campaign Currently Underway for Regional Travel Survey

Please respond and participate if you receive a survey request in the mail regarding the Regional Travel Survey. The Southeast Florida Transportation Council (SEFTC) - a regional partnership of the Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade MPO's - has mailed thousands of survey forms to a demographic sampling of the region to help MPO planners better meet the needs of the traveling public. SEFTC began data collection for the first phase of the survey in mid-September, and it will continue through early 2017. Whether you travel by car, train, bus, bicycle or any other mode, participation in this study will inform transportation decisions over the years to come. Participation is easy and voluntary, and information that is collected is kept strictly confidential and secure. Click the link for the Regional Travel Survey, or call the Palm Beach MPO Public Information Office at 561.684.4143 for additional information.   

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FHWA Gives Interim Approval for Bicycle Boxes

On Oct. 12, 2016, the Federal Highway Administration issued Interim Approval 18 allowing the optional use of Intersection bicycle boxes. A bike box is a designated area at the head of a traffic lane at a signalized intersection that provides bicyclists with a safe and visible way to get ahead of traffic during the red signal phase. Bike boxes are designed to increase the visibility of bicyclists, reduce signal delay for bicyclists, increase safety for bicyclists making left turns, prioritize bicyclists and group bicyclists together to clear an intersection quickly, and to benefit pedestrians from reduced vehicle encroachment into the crosswalk. Jurisdictions wishing to use bike boxes must submit a written request to the FHWA. Click for details.

Public-Private Funding for Trails Webinar - Dec. 8  

American Trails presents a free webinar, Powerful Partnerships: Lessons Learned on Leveraging Public-Private Funding for Trails." Click for details.

The MPO website has a new Funding tab in the main navigation to more quickly locate MPO funding program details as well as Non-MPO Funding and Related Opportunities. Examples include grants, internships and opportunities for technical assistance. Current listings include opportunities for summer paid internships with the US Dept. of Transportation, as well as a funding opportunity for Safe Routes to School infrastructure projects. Please email website links for suggested opportunities to include on this page to Malissa Booth. 

Palmetto Park Rd. in Boca Raton
Tuesday, Nov. 29 (rescheduled from Oct. 11) 
Open House 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Location: City of Boca Raton Downtown Library, 400 NW 2nd Ave., Boca Raton, FL 33432

The Florida Dept. of Transportation (FDOT) is holding an informal open house to update the community on the project design and final plans for proposed improvements for the Shared Use Path Project on Palmetto Park Rd. from SR 7/US 441 to NW 2nd Ave. in Boca Raton. Click for the public notice announcement.

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FDOT District 4 Work Program Public Meetings & Hearings
Wednesday, Nov. 30 - 6:30 PM 
FDOT Public Hearing & Webinar

Members of the public are invited to attend in person and provide comments at one of the below listed locations, or to participate by webinar, including the ability to provide comments. Click for the public notice announcement.

• FDOT District 4 Headquarters, 3400 W. Commercial Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309 
• FDOT Palm Beach County Operations Center, 7900 Forest Hill Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33413
• FDOT Treasure Coast Operations Center, 3601 Oleander Ave., Ft. Pierce, FL 34982
• Webinar:  Register in advance to participate by webinar

Draft Materials Relative to the Public Hearing:

• FDOT District Four Draft Materials for the following counties: Palm Beach, Broward, Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River. Includes links for District-Wide projects and Turnpike projects, and a video to explain the Work Program. Click here.

Additionally, FDOT staff representatives will present the District 4 Work Program at the MPO public meetings listed below. Members of the public are invited to attend these MPO meetings and will be offered an opportunity to provide public comments on this or any other items on the agenda or general comments related to transportation matters under the purview of the MPO. 

FDOT Work Program Presentations to the MPO:

Wednesday, Dec. 7 - 9:00 AM
MPO Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Meeting
Location: MPO Conference Room 4E-12, 2300 N. Jog Rd., West Palm Beach, FL  33411

Monday, Dec. 12 - 9:00 AM
MPO Governing Board Meeting
Location: Palm Beach County Governmental Center, 301 N. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach, FL  33401

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I-95 at Southern Blvd. Interchange
Thursday, Dec. 1
Open House 5:30 PM - Presentation 6:00 PM
Location: Palm Beach Airport Hilton, 150 Australian Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33406

The Florida Dept. of Transportation (FDOT) is holding this Alternatives Public Workshop for the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study. Click for the public notice announcement.

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I-95 at Northlake Blvd. Interchange
Thursday, Dec. 8
Open House 5:30-7:30 PM
Location: Marriott Hotel, 4000 RCA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 

The Florida Dept. of Transportation (FDOT) is holding this Alternatives Public Workshop for the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study. Click for the public notice announcement.

Access online agendas, backup materials, presentations, minutes and audio recordings of past meetings of the MPO Governing Board, MPO advisory committees, and the Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board: PalmBeachMPO.org/meeting. Members of the public are encouraged to attend all meetings of the MPO Governing Board and its advisory committees and ad hoc committees.  Public Notice:  Please be advised that one or more members of the MPO Governing Board or any of its advisory committees may attend any of the following meetings.

Next Dates for MPO Governing Board and Committee Meetings

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

Final Phase of Bluegill Trail Now Open

The second and final phase of the Bluegill Trail officially opened on Nov. 10. This recently completed project phase received $750,000 in Transportation Alternatives program funds through the MPO. The program previously funded $500,000 towards construction of the initial section between Riverbend Park in Jupiter and Sandhill Crane Access Park at PGA Blvd. which opened in March of 2011. This northern section - with its crushed rock trail surface, grassy swale, pitcher pump will with non-potable water, hitching posts, and mounting blocks - is accommodating for equestrians as well as for hikers and bicyclists. The 10-mile multi-use trail now extends south to Grassy Waters Preserve in West Palm Beach. This new phase offers an improved asphalt surface, shade shelters, road crossings, observation platforms and scenic views for hikers and bicyclists. Bluegill is one of five trails within the Northeast Everglades Natural Area (NENA) that has been improved by Palm Beach County's Environmental Resources Management department. The MPO has additionally invested in other NENA trails in Palm Beach County. Click here to learn about NENA and the Bluegill, Pantano, Jesup, Everglades Rim, and Historic Jupiter-Indiantown trails.  

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Lantana Chamber of Commerce

MPO Executive Director Nick Uhren addressed the Lantana Chamber of Commerce at the Old Key Lime House.on Nov. 10.

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Greater Boca Chamber of Commerce

MPO Executive Director Nick Uhren addressed the Economic Development Committee of the Greater Boca Chamber of Commerce at their offices on Nov. 15. 

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TRANSPO 2016 Conference

MPO staff members attended the TRANSPO 2016 conference held Nov. 13-16, 2016 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. Conference sessions and technical trainings were divided into the following four areas of interest: Serving Pedestrians and Bicyclists Making Vehicles Smarter - The Future of Connected Vehicles Traffic Engineering ITS Applications for Operations and Management

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Requests for MPO Presentations or Exhibits

Please direct requests and suggestions for MPO presentations to civic organizations or exhibits at community events to Public Information Officer Malissa Booth.

• Florida Automated Vehicles Website
  www.AutomatedFL.com is the online home for the Florida Automated Vehicles (FAV) program, led by the Florida Dept. of Transportation (FDOT). Automated vehicle technologies hold unprecedented opportunities in helping to reduce congestion and improve safety. This site is designed to provide information on the Florida-specific initiative and the progression of automated vehicle technology nationwide.

• Creative Placemaking Guide 
  The Scenic Route: Getting Started with Creative Placemaking and Transportation is available from Transportation for America.

• Complete Streets Resources 
  Click for a collection of complete streets resources from Smart Growth America.

• New Web Address for FDOT 
  FDOT has a new website address: www.fdot.gov is the new address that replaced www.dot.state.fl.us to streamline the agency's online presence. Click here for a complete listing of FDOT office web addresses that were also changed.

• Transportation Statistics - There's an App for That! 
  The Pocket Guide to Transportation is an annual compilation of statistics that provides key information and highlights major trends for the U.S. transportation system. It is intended to make transportation statistics readily available to the public. Curious about the most congested urban areas or the busiest Amtrak stations? Now there's a smartphone app for the Pocket Guide. Click for information on the new app.

• Public Notices for FDOT District 4
  Click here for public notices for District 4 which includes the following counties: Palm Beach, Broward, Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River
   
• Map of FDOT Construction Projects in Palm Beach County
  Click here for the interactive map. Click on traffic cone icons for project names and information.

• Florida's Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) Weekly Construction Updates
  Click for announcements regarding updated lane closures and work zones due to construction and maintenance projects in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties.

All Aboard Florida rail construction along the FEC corridor will cause temporary roadway closures in three downtown West Palm Beach locations in December. The current schedule calls for the closing of 3rd St. (Dec. 7-11), Clematis St. (Dec. 14-18) and 1st St./ Banyan Blvd. (Dec. 19-23). Click for current information on FEC grade crossing closures. For more information including an interactive map of all Palm Beach County grade crossings along the FEC corridor, click here. Construction continues on all three of All Aboard Florida's south Florida train stations including the West Palm Beach station where Brightline service is scheduled to begin in 2017.