2 minute read
Interview: Beth Alden
Beth Alden Executive Director Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning for Transportation
How are you gauging the community’s needs in regard to new transportation options?
We have been engaging the public with an online survey, which is an interactive, gamified survey to ask folks about their priorities in regards to transportation. We received 5,200 responses, and it is amazing how many people are saying that they want a better rapid transit system. We have also discovered that they are very interested in reusing the freight rail tracks. That would require an agreement with CSX, which owns those tracks, but it’s a very underutilized asset. There’s no freight rail track between downtown Tampa, the airport and the Westshore Business District, and it will take some extra steps to create that.
How are you encouraging people to use alternative forms of transportation?
In regard to transit, having some form of passenger rail system or rapid transit system would be one way we could do that. The important point with a rapid transit system is that we provide a way for it not to get stuck in trac, so we need to provide some space for it to run and get out of trac. We can do this with our bus system by providing special bypass lanes for buses where there is room on major roads. The walk and bicycle infrastructure is really important as well. People do not realize how many trips they make that are less than two miles long. If there are safe ways to walk or bicycle, then they do not necessarily have to be putting another car on the road to make that short trip.
What are the short-term investments planned for the new Hillsborough transportation tax?
We will start with the essentials: resurfacing, safety and smart trac signal projects. Almost half is for transit, starting with expanding the bus service so it runs on evenings, weekends and often enough that you do not have to spend an hour waiting for a transfer. This is an amazing opportunity to implement the changes we have been planning for years.
In November 2018, a penny tax was passed with a 57% majority in favor.
( ) In August, the port also announced it would expand its container terminal with a new berth at Hooker’s Point at a total cost of $64.5 million. The aim is to allow three ships to dock simultaneously and is slated to be completed by 2022. Further projects such as the refurbishment of the Richard E. Knight petroleum terminal complex, development of Port Redwing’s bulk-handling facilities, expansion of Eastport, renovation of cruise terminals and enhancement to rail and roadway links are part of the strategic plan designed to position the port for the future.
Port Tampa Bay serves 74 million cruise ship passengers, the lion’s share of whom are visitors who do not reside in the area. To further cater to visitors, the port will double the number of cruise lines that call it home to six. MSC Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and Holland America will join Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian in 2020. MSC Cruises’ Armonia vessel alone has capacity for 2,000 passengers.
TBARTA Transit remains a priority for the state and for Tampa
