The MPOverview

August 2024

ARTICLES

• Trans-Florida Rail Trail - Preserve Construction Updates
• Bicycle Pedestrian Plan Update - Draft Final Report
• TCPalm Bike Safety Article
• Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board Vacancies
• School Bus Safety - Know When to Stop

One of the MPO's top multimodal priorities is connecting the Sebastian riverfront to downtown Fellsmere via the Trans-Florida rail to trail. Earlier this year, contractors began construction on the newest phase of the Trans-Florida rail to trail. This approximately 1.5 mile trail section runs just west of I-95 through the St. Sebastian River Preserve.

Astute MPOverview readers will know that the FY 2024/25 - FY 2028/29 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) provides funds for the next phase--1.5 miles from the preserve boundary to Broadway Street in the City of Fellsmere!

Picture below is the rail trail overpass at I-95 constructed by FDOT in 2018.

Last year, the Indian River County Metropolitan Planning Organization commenced an update to its Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan. We’re pleased to announce that the Draft Final Report is now available for review and public comment. The MPO will be receiving public comment through August 30 before the report is submitted to each of the MPO's advisory committees and finally to the full MPO board for approval.

This report is the end product of the better part of a year's work, and it has been guided by public input, technical expertise, and most importantly stakeholder champions.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed their time and efforts to this major update!

Last week the TCPalm published, "Bicycle deaths increase in summer. Here's the number of crashes, fatalities since 2018." In the article, Gianna Montesano, highlights the astonishingly high percentages of bicycle accidents which result in a fatality. The data provided in the article shows that 3% of bicycle crash events result in a fatality across the Treasure Coast region.

The MPO, its partners, and its stakeholders are committed to achieving a Target Zero future. We'll continue to work towards this goal through new roadway designs, education, and traffic enforcement.

All meetings, unless otherwise posted, will meet in Conference Room B1-501, County Administration Building B, 1800 27th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960

TDLCB - 08/22/2024 at 10:00 am

TAC - 08/23/2024 at 10:00 am

CAC - 09/03/2024 at 2:00 pm

MPO - 09/11/2024 at 10:00 am

BPAC - 09/24/24 at 2:00 pm

Indian River County Metropolitan Planning Organization

1801 27th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960

772-226-1455 / Email / Website

For complaints, questions or concerns about civil rights or nondiscrimination; or for special requests under the American with Disabilities Act, please contact: Bill DeBraal, Title VI Coordinator at (772) 226-1426 or BDebraal@indianriver.gov.

Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status. Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Brian Freeman at (772) 226-1455 or bfreeman@indianriver.gov at least seven days prior to the meeting.