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Priority Projects List

Each year, the MPO adopts a prioritized list of transportation projects for use by the Florida Dept. of Transportation (FDOT) as they program funding for projects in Palm Beach County. Projects on the list are consistent with the MPO's Long Range Transportation Plan. Click here to read more about the process; to review the draft Priority Projects List to be considered by the MPO Governing Board at their meeting of Sep. 15; and to review various ways in which to offer public comments including a convenient online form.  

Amendment #1 - Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

Amendment #1 to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for Fiscal Years 2017-2021 is proposed in order to roll forward funding from the Fiscal Year that ended June 30, 2016, for projects currently in progress. This item is on the agenda for the MPO Governing Board meeting of Sep. 15. Click to read more. 

MPO to Participate in Scandinavian Tour 

MPO Exec. Dir. Nick Uhren is among five south Florida transportation planning officials selected to visit Scandinavia 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 of Copenhagen, Denmark and Malmo, Sweden 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.

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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. In addition to being an exhibitor for the 2016 event, the MPO will also present at one of the breakout sessions. Franchesca Taylor and Nick Uhren will present the MPO's pilot bicycle and pedestrian counting program. Thanks to the many conference sponsors, the GIS Expo is a free event that attracts approximately 600 attendees. Click for information.  

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Roadside Assistance Now Extended to 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 www.AAA.com/Bicycle. Let's hope this will begin a trend to accommodate stranded bicyclists by other roadside assistance providers!

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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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National Recreation and Water Trails Webinar - Sep. 8

American Trails invites all to register for a free webinar, "Understanding the National Recreation Trails Program and the National Water Trails System," to find out how your local trail efforts can shine in the national spotlight. Click for details. The webinar is presented by the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Florida Office of Greenways & Trails.

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Share Your Online Comments About Transit Research by Sep. 8

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is seeking online comments by Sep. 8 as input for a five-year research strategic plan that will set the stage for the types of research FTA should support to improve public transportation. Click to read more.  

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

The Palm Beach County Convention Center will be the site of an annual summit for climate change leaders preparing for a sustainable southeast Florida. The summit will focus on real stories of real success in communities, business and political sectors, examining the environmental, economic and direct consequences of climate change. In addition to addressing management strategies, participants will update the Regional Climate Action Plan. Click for summit details. 

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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 during many hours in Palm Beach County, including 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!

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Free Technical Assistance for Transit Oriented Development (TOD)
Requests Due: Oct. 7

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Bike Helmet Fitting Training - Sep. 9

Register for free training to become a certified Bicycle Helmet Fitter Community Partner and the opportunity to receive free helmets to distribute. Click for registration information and additional details.

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MPO Transportation Photo Contest Update

Thank you to everyone who submitted photos for the MPO's first transportation photo contest. All submitted photos will be considered for use in future MPO documents, on the MPO website, and in social media. The top four photos in each category have been pre-selected by the MPO staff, and the MPO Governing Board will vote to select the winners at their Sep. 15 meeting. Photographers of the winning photos will be recognized at the MPO Governing Board meeting of Oct. 20.

The 2015 call for applications resulted in over $25 million programmed for safer biking and walking facilities to schools. The call has just opened for 2016 applications. Click for details.

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Big Jump Project
Grant Applications Due: Oct. 28

Applications are due Oct. 28 for the Big Jump Project, a new effort by People For Bikes. The project hopes to identify 10 great places where community leaders have ambitious plans to create safe and comfortable places to ride bikes, and are eager to benchmark and monitor increases in biking for healthier people and better communities. Click to read more.

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$5 Million Knight Cities Challenge
Grant Applications Due: Nov. 3

What's your best idea to make cities more successful? The Knight Cities Challenge has a pool of $5 million from which they will award grants for innovative and effective ideas in 26 eligible communities including Palm Beach County. Applications will be accepted from Oct. 10 until Nov. 3 at noon ET, and don't have to include fully prepared plans. The Knight Cities website highlights the diversity of creative ideas from past grant recipients. The challenge is for innovative ideas and plans to make communities at the city, neighborhood or block level, more vibrant places to live and work. Ideas should focus on one or more of the key drivers of city success: attracting and keeping talent, expanding economic opportunity, and creating a culture of civic engagement. Learn more at this Knight Blog post. For questions about the challenge, join Knight foundation staff members for virtual office hours or in-person events. The schedule, which is regularly updated, can be accessed here.     
 

45th St. / I-95 Interchange - West Palm Beach
Tuesday, Sep. 13 
Open House at 5:30 PM - Presentation at 6:00 PM
Location: Homewood Suites, 2455 Metrocentre Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33407 

The Florida Dept. of Transportation (FDOT) is holding a kickoff meeting to inform the public of the start of a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study for the I-95 interchange at 45th St. The purpose of the project is to reduce traffic congestion and enhance safety. Click for notice of meeting.  

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6th Ave. South / I-95 Interchange - Lake Worth
Thursday, Sep. 15 
Open House 5:00 - 7:00 PM (no formal presentation)
Location: The Club Managers Assn. of America Therapeutic Recreation Complex, Fountains Recreations Building, 2728 Lake Worth Rd., Lake Worth, FL 33461

The Florida Dept. of Transportation (FDOT) is holding this Alternatives Public Workshop to give interested persons an opportunity to comment and provide input on the transportation improvement alternatives the department has developed at this point in the PD&E study. For information about this study, please visit the project website at www.I95at6thAve.com. Click for notice of meeting.  

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US One / Federal Hwy. Bridge - Jupiter
Tuesday, Sep. 20
Open House at 5:30 PM - Presentation at 6:00 PM
Location: Jupiter Community Center, 200 Military Trail, Jupiter, FL 33458

The Florida Dept. of Transportation (FDOT) is holding an Alternatives Public Workshop for the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study to evaluate bridge replacement alternatives that will resolve the structurally deficient conditions of the existing bridge and enhance multimodal mobility for pedestrians and bicyclists. Plans will be on display during the open house, and staff will be available to answer questions. A formal presentation will present the alternatives developed at this point in the study, and offer members of the public an opportunity to comment. Click for notice of meeting. For more information on the project, go to the project website at www.JupiterUS1bridge.com. 

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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 www.95PGACentralBlvd.com.

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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 meeting. Click to review slides presented to the MPO Technical Advisory Committee. 

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/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.

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Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Team - Final Meeting
Mon. Sep. 19, 3:00 PM
Location: Palm Beach MPO, 2300 N. Jog Rd., 4th Floor Conf. Rm.#4E-12,West Palm Beach, FL 33411
The purpose of this final meeting will be to discuss countermeasures for the types of accidents experienced at previously identified hot spot locations and corridors.  
Click to review the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Study map. 
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Complete Streets Meeting
Wed. Sep. 21, 2:00 PM
Location: Palm Beach MPO, 2300 N. Jog Rd., 4th Floor Conf. Rm.#4E-12,West Palm Beach, FL 33411
The purpose of this 
Click for more information on complete streets.
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September MPO Board and Committee Meetings

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

Spanish River Blvd. / I-95 Interchange in Boca Raton

Construction continues on the new I-95 interchange that will relieve traffic congestion in Boca Raton. Click to read the August / September construction progress report. 

• 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 construction: Temporary roadway closures are anticipated in upcoming weeks due to All Aboard Florida rail construction, with most lasting four or five days. Upcoming closures include Boynton Beach Blvd./ E. Ocean Ave. in Boynton 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.