The Hernando/Citrus Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) held its monthly public meeting on March 20, 2018, in Brooksville. A presentation was made by Tampa Bay Regional Transit Authority (TBARTA) regarding the MPO Regional Coordination Study.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) provided an update regarding the following locations in the Hernando/Citrus MPO area:

Flashing beacons will be installed at the intersection of US 19 and St. Andrews Boulevard at the Heather Subdivision as a safety improvement.

A traffic signal is anticipated at US 19 and Hexam Road in the future.

No improvements are anticipated at US 19 and Thrasher Avenue at this time.

The traffic signal at US 19 and CR 488 (entrance to Duke Energy) will be operational in approximately 2 months’ time.

The traffic signal at US 19 and Seven Rivers Hospital will transition to a full operational signal in the near future.

A trail will be constructed along US 19 in Citrus County between Hernando County and the City of Crystal River.  The timing has not been finalized;however, FDOT has committed to inclusion of the trail.

Additional information regarding FDOT projects can be obtained from their public information office at: http://www.fdot.gov/info/moreDOT/districts/dist7.shtm

The Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) updated the MPO Board and public in attendance regarding the following:

Suncoast Parkway 2 is under construction, from US 19 to SR 44 with anticipated completion date Spring 2022.

Suncoast Parkway 2  from SR 44 to CR 486 is currently under procurement for design.

The Coastal Connector is a high level planning study called an Alternative Corridor Evaluation (ACE) study that is evaluating new transportation corridor alternatives in Citrus and Marion Counties.  Public meetings to present preliminary corridor alternatives are scheduled for Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Citrus County and Tuesday May 1, 2018 in Marion County.  For more information on this study visit the website at www.coastalconnector.com

Additional information regarding FTE projects and public meeting specifics can be found on their website at: http://www.floridasturnpike.com/projects.html

The MPO Board directed the Hernando County Human Resources Department to commence negotiations with Mr. Steve Diez as Executive Director of the MPO. The Board also approved the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) FY 2018 Annual Certifications and Assurances and authorized the Chairman and MPO attorney to execute the documents as required by the FTA, and recommended the selection of Mid Florida Community Services DBA Trans-Hernando as the Community Transportation Coordinator for Hernando County to the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged.

The Tentative Work Program will be reviewed and approved by the MPO at their June 19, 2018 meeting.  Additional project details will be available at that time. Please Contact the Hernando/Citrus MPO at (352) 754-4082 for more information