TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Peter D. Lear, CPA, CGMA, City Manager
TITLE: Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization Town Tour Presentation - Long Range Transportation Plan
Recommended Action
The City Commission is asked to review the needs list and discuss their priorities as the MPO begins to develop the cost feasible list of programs and projects that will be submitted to state and federal transportation departments for funding consideration.
Background Information
In the next 25 years, almost $5 billion will be invested in the Sarasota/Manatee regional road network. The Sarasota/Manatee 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) will guide the investment of these funds. The Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has developed a comprehensive needs list based on jurisdiction plans, technical data, computer modeling, and community feedback.
The LRTP must consider the full complement of transportation modes - roads, bicycles, pedestrians, trails, transit, parking, railroads and airports. The plan includes at least twenty years and must be updated every five years. Florida Statute requires the LRTP to prioritize:
? Preserving the existing transportation infrastructure,
? Enhancing Florida's economic competitiveness, and
? Improving travel choices to ensure mobility.
The MPO Governing Board adopted the following LRTP Vision Statements which, in concert with federally-mandated performance measures, will serve as the guiding principles for the 2045 plan.
? Promote Economic Diversity: Attract high tech businesses and employees, focus on port centers as economic engines, brand and plan for the higher education/cultural corridor on US 41, prepare transportation infrastructure for new technology.
? Preserve Environmental Health: Safeguard treasured environmental assets, plan for resiliency from storms and flooding, balance protection and land use, increase density and decrease auto depend...
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