MPO Invests in Bike & Pedestrian Improvements in Jupiter

The Town of Jupiter received $2.1M through the MPO's Transportation Alternatives program to improve infrastructure and pedestrian access and safety along A1A between US-1 and Jupiter Beach Rd. The recently completed project, which includes pedestrian walkways, bike lanes, signage, crosswalks and lighting, was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sep. 14. Program speakers included MPO Bike-Ped-TDM Coordinator Franchesca Taylor, fifth from the left in the ribbon-cutting photo above. Click for an album of project photos. Click on any photo in the album to enlarge, and then proceed to use the arrows on the sides of photos to navigate to others in the album.

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Annual Conference for GIS Professionals - Sep. 29-30

The MPO participates annually in the South Florida GIS Expo sponsored by the Palm Beach Countywide GIS Forum. MPO staff members Franchesca Taylor and Nick Uhren will present the MPO's pilot bicycle and pedestrian counting program at one of the breakout sessions, and Malissa Booth will coordinate the MPO display in the Exhibit Hall. Due to tremendous support from the many conference sponsors, the GIS Expo is a free event that attracts approximately 600 attendees. Click for information and advance registration. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology plays an important role in how the MPO visualizes, analyzes, evaluates and manages data layers for web mapping for better planning and to provide tools that enable the public to learn about and comment on transportation projects and facility needs.  

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Walk to School Day - Oct. 5

"How Cities are Growing Safe Walking and Biking Options" is the theme of the 20th anniversary of Walk to School Day. The day will be used to advance safe walking and biking to school and destinations throughout communities. Click for details including planning and registration for local Walk to School Day events for Oct. 5.

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8th Annual Regional Climate Leadership Summit - Oct. 5-6

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MPO to Participate in Scandinavian Tour 

Photo credit: DISSING+WEITLING

MPO Exec. Dir. Nick Uhren is among five south Florida transportation planning officials selected to visit Copenhagen, Denmark this October for an annual study tour organized by the nonprofit 880 Cities, supported by the Knight Foundation. Click to read the Knight Blog to learn how these experiences translate to improved infrastructure for pedestrians and bicyclists for more vibrant communities in the U.S. Also participating in the study tour will be Scott Kelly, City of West Palm Beach assistant city administrator; Aileen Boucle, Miami-Dade MPO Exec. Dir.; Alice Bravo, Miami-Dade County transportation and public works director; and Jim Wolfe, FDOT District VI Secretary. Copenhagen is striving to become the best city for bicycling in the world. Click to view the video "City of Bikes" filmed in Copenhagen, Denmark.

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MPO Transportation Photo Contest Winners Announced

Photo credit: James Stafford

The MPO truly appreciates every photo submitted as part of its first transportation photo contest. Each entry will be considered for use in future MPO publications and for the MPO website and social media. On Sep. 15, the MPO Governing Board selected the winning photos in each category. Click to view all winning photos.

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New Federal Automated Vehicles Policy

Click to view the video of US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx on Sep. 20 announcing a new Federal Automated Vehicles Policy. Click for more information and to read the policy document.  

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AAA Roadside Assistance for Bicyclists

AAA has recently extended their roadside assistance benefits to include members who may become stranded while bicycling. Although they don't provide bicycle repairs, they are prepared to provide a ride for you and your bike. Details available at AAA.com/Bicycle. Let's hope this will begin a trend to accommodate stranded bicyclists by other roadside assistance providers!

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Save with $3 uberPOOL in Palm Beach County

uberPOOL combines the benefits of Uber and carpooling. For just $3, you can ride to many locations in Palm Beach County, including during weekday rush hours and most of the weekend. Click here to find out where and when you can uberPOOL, and how to schedule your uberPOOL ride in the app. A helpful and lighthearted uberPOOL etiquette guide is also available!

Transportation for America Webinar - Wed. Sep. 21

"Arts and Culture in Transportation Planning and Community Development" - Click for details

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Transportation for America Webinar - Thu. Sep. 22

"Metropolitan Planning for Healthier, Safer, More Prosperous Regions" - Click for details

Our neighbors at the Broward MPO will be among presenters sharing stories of smart, data-driven ways to better conceive, select and build transportation projects to improve public health outcomes for residents, strengthen local economies, promote social equity and better protect the environment.

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American Trails Webinar - Thu. Sep. 22

"Engaging the Next Generation of Trail Stewards: Increasing Diversity, Inclusion and Equity" - Click for details

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American Trails Webinar - Thu. Oct. 20

"Economic Impact of Livable Communities with Active Transportation Options" - Click for details

The MPO website has a new "Funding and Related Opportunities" page for non-MPO opportunities to apply for project funding and technical assistance. Current listings include information on current opportunities from the Knight Foundation, Smart Growth America, Safe Routes to School, People for Bikes, and more. Find the new web page under the "Plans & Resources" tab. Please email website links for suggested opportunities to include on this page to Malissa Booth. 

I-95 at PGA Blvd. / Central Blvd.

Wednesday, Sep. 28
Open House at 5:30 PM - Presentation at 6:00 PM
Location: City of Palm Beach Gardens Council Chambers
10500 N. Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410

The Florida Dept. of Transportation (FDOT) will conduct a Public Hearing regarding the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study to give interested persons an opportunity to express their views concerning the location, conceptual design, and social, economic, and environmental effects of the proposed improvements. Click for a notice of the Public Hearing and for information on where draft project documents will be available for public review from Sep. 7 - Oct. 13, 2016, or visit the project website at 95PGACentralBlvd.com.

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Palmetto Park Rd. in Boca Raton
Tuesday, 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 a notice of the Open House. 

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95 Express Lanes Expansion into Palm Beach County
Thursday, Oct. 27 
Public Information Workshop 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 100 Fairfied Dr., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

The Florida Dept. of Transportation (FDOT) is holding a Public Information Workshop regarding expansion of the 95 Express in Broward County and into southern Palm Beach County. Click for notice of the workshop. Click to review slides presented to the MPO Governing Board on Sep. 15. 

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

September Meeting Presentations

Click to view the following presentations that were provided to the MPO Governing Board and its advisory committees except as noted:

• Priority Projects List for FY 2018-2022
• Transportation Photo Contest Winners (MPO Governing Board only)
• I-95 Express Lanes Project - Palm Beach County
• I-95 at Gateway Blvd.(Boynton Beach) (MPO Governing Board only)
• Jupiter US-1 Bridge Project (TAC only)
• Palm Tran TDP Phase 2 (TAC only)
• FHWA Resurfacing Workbook (TAC only)
• Public Participation Plan (CAC only)
• Climate Change (CAC only)
• Wellington CIP Planning for Multi-Modal Development (BTPAC only)

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

USDOT Mayors' Challenge Concludes with
Safer People, Safer Streets Summit

MPO Chair and Boca Raton Mayor Susan Haynie participated in the Sep. 16 Safer People, Safer Streets Summit at the USDOT headquarters in Washington, DC. The summit was a culmination event for the Mayors' Challenge launched in early 2015, in which the Palm Beach MPO and five local municipalities participated. Winners of the competitive challenge included Miami-Dade County in the Large City category for Complete Streets.

Alexa Sanabria has joined the MPO staff in the position of Secretary. She is a Palm Beach County native, and a part-time student at Florida Atlantic University, majoring in business administration. Alexa will be assisting with many tasks in addition to providing support for the following MPO committees and board: Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) Bicycle-Trailways-Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BTPAC) Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board (LCB)

• 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.

All Aboard Florida rail construction along the FEC corridor: Temporary roadway closures will continue in early October in Boynton Beach and Delray Beach. 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.

Jupiter construction: Expect full closures of the I-95 southbound entrance ramp from westbound Indiantown Rd. in Jupiter through September. Click for report.