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Hernando Today

County Road Projects Intact

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: December 15, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - It looks like a smooth road ahead for anticipated transportation projects in Hernando County.

The Hernando County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is scheduled to discuss the Florida Department of Transportation's (FDOT) five-year tentative work program Tuesday afternoon.

Each year at this time, FDOT starts the review process, which covers the next five years of preliminary engineering, right of way acquisition, construction and public transportation projects for Hernando, Citrus, Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties.

Although FDOT's District 7 has experienced a $184 million revenue reduction, Hernando County's transportation projects have remained intact, with no project deferrals flagged by FDOT.

However, no additional revenue has been allocated to the new fifth year of the work program, which covers fiscal year 2013-14.

The MPO meets at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec.16 in the John Law Ayers county commission chambers, at the Hernando County Government Center, 20 North Main St. in downtown Brooksville.

The purpose of this public hearing is to review a proposed Public Involvement Process and Long Range Transportation Plan.

Federal legislation requires each MPO to maintain this public involvement program that gives the entire community the chance to participate in the transportation planning process.

The Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA) is developing a master plan of transportation improvements for counties on the west coast of Florida - from Citrus to Sarasota counties - as required by state law.
MPO members will have the opportunity to discuss that plan, the first phase of which focuses on the question of where improvements are most needed to serve regional needs.

For more information about the MPO meeting, call 754-4057.

To view the complete agenda, visit http://www.co.hernando.fl.us/mpo/agendas/MPOAGA.pd...

What It Is:

The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is mandated by the Federal Highway Act of 1973 to provide a cooperative, comprehensive, and continuing transportation planning and decision-making process.

Who's On It:

The MPO board has six members: five from Hernando County Government; one representative from the City of Brooksville; one nonvoting member representing the Department of Transportation District 7 office.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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