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Hillsborough TPO transmits letter to FDOT after tentative work program removes streetcar funding
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Summary
The TPO board voted Nov. 10 to transmit a comment letter to FDOT and Florida Turnpike Enterprise on the FY27–31 tentative work programs, noting removal of TECO streetcar funding, requesting clearer explanations for project deferrals, and highlighting trail and transit investments.
The Hillsborough Transportation Planning Organization voted Nov. 10 to transmit a letter of comment to the Florida Department of Transportation and Florida Turnpike Enterprise after reviewing tentative five‑year work programs for fiscal 2027–2031.
The board’s action followed presentations from FDOT District 7 and the Turnpike. FDOT officials described an accelerated tentative work program that preserves previously funded projects, advances selected phases and adds new projects, while noting shifts in capacity, resurfacing and transit phases. District 7 staff told the board the five‑year tentative program totals about $1.5 billion.
TPO staff incorporated Citizens Advisory Committee feedback into a draft letter that asks FDOT and FTE to clarify why projects were deferred or advanced, to explain the removal of certain projects from the five‑year window and to consider multimodal options when funding is shifted. The board approved transmittal of the letter on a voice vote (motion by Commissioner Myers, seconded by Mr. Joseph); the chair recorded no nays.
Why it matters: the work program sets which state projects are funded and when. Board members and the CAC flagged the removal of the TECO streetcar extension from the state program after the Legislature eliminated the New Starts funding program, and they asked for continued coordination to identify alternate financing. "This is the epitome of robbing Peter to pay Paul, and it stinks," said Rick Fernandez, chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee, describing frustration that larger capacity projects have been prioritized while streetcar funding was removed.
FDOT’s Suzanne Ziegler told the board the agency remains engaged with the City of Tampa and "we are committed to doing the project; we're just trying to find another mechanism to do it." Turnpike planning manager Katina Caviclies told the board the Florida Turnpike Enterprise proposes to invest about $277 million in Hillsborough County over the next five years and highlighted completed safety projects including Veterans Expressway emergency stop sites and a wrong‑way driving detection deployment.
The draft letter also notes the work program’s wins, including funding for the Upper Tampa Bay trail gap and several locally significant projects. TPO staff said the letter integrates a request that FDOT consult the board when lane‑management and tolling strategies are refined.
Key details reported during the presentations: FDOT said some projects were deferred beyond the five‑year window while others were advanced; resurfacing, bike–ped and safety work can appear under capacity or resurfacing line items; the tentative program will be reviewed by legislators and the governor, with adoption effective July 1, 2026. The CAC voted 9–7 to ask the Florida Turnpike Authority to look at non‑single‑occupancy modes and 14–2 to recommend the TPO transmit the letter.
What’s next: TPO staff will transmit the board’s letter before the MPO objection deadline and follow up with FDOT and FTE as they finalize program details. The board expects additional briefings as FDOT and local partners identify funding mechanisms for projects removed from the tentative list.
