MetroPlan Orlando recently updated their Transportation Improvement Program, which includes a list of projects and improvements that are anticipated to take place across the region over the next five years. The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is the list of projects that are identified in the long-range Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) and from the Prioritized Project List, a list of projects that are identified as needs over the next 20 years. Once a project makes it to the TIP, it will be funded and under construction within those next five years.
Bike/Walk Central Florida has been a stakeholder and provided support to MetroPlan Orlando for their development of the MTP and has worked hand in hand with local communities to ensure that their projects that support pedestrian and bicycle safety are at the top. We are very excited that many of these projects have moved from the Prioritized Project List (PPL) and are now ready to be funded and constructed. Those projects include:
- Pine Hills Trail Phase 2
- Shingle Creek Trail (multiple phases)
- Cady Way Trail improvements
- Coast to Coast Trail Gap in Orange County
- West Orange Trail Phase 4
- Little Econ Trail Phase 3
- Lake Monroe Loop
- Smaller trail connections in Casselberry, Longwood, Winter Springs, Altamonte Springs, Winter Park,
- Many Safe Routes to School projects throughout Orange and Osceola Counties
- Pedestrian and bicycle safety studies in the City of Orlando and Orange County jurisdictions. Some of these projects might have public involvement as they get developed, so stay tuned for more information!
Many other safety projects, locally funded projects and even some road widening projects include improvements to bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure as a part of their scopes. We are thrilled to see these projects make their way through the planning process and start to take shape as physical infrastructure in the ground starting this year!
Voicing the need for better bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure for our community has helped not only shape the MTP at MetroPlan Orlando but has prioritized these projects ensuring that funding is dedicated to the construction of these needed trail and sidewalk improvements that help everyone to walk, bike and roll safely in their community.