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Review and Adoption, by Roll-Call Vote, of the Draft Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) FY2027-FY2031, as prepared by the General Planning Consultant, Benesch & Associates
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BRIEF OVERVIEW
The purpose of the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is to identify transportation needs and priorities of the metropolitan planning area including regionally significant projects regardless of their funding source (23 USC and 49 USC, Chapter 53).
The TIP for the Hernando/Citrus Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) contains the funded Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Five-Year Work Program and the submitted local jurisdiction Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects for Hernando County, Citrus County, the jurisdictions of the City of Brooksville, and the City of Crystal River. The TIP reflects the projects contained in the 2050 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). Projects are required to be shown in the TIP for inclusion into the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and receive subsequent funding.
A 30-day public comment period is required prior to the adoption of the TIP by the MPO Board. The public comment period began May 1, 2026, and continues through this public hearing. The draft is currently under review by the Florida Department of Transportation District 7 and the Federal Highway Administration. Once comments are received from these agencies, any adjustments will be made to the TIP as appropriate.
The Draft TIP was prepared by the MPO’s consultant, Benesch and Associates. The Draft TIP contains a narrative discussion of the contents of the document including the five-year program of the Florida Department of Transportation for the MPO transportation planning area. It includes the following supporting appendices:
• Appendix A: An index for future modifications and amendments to the adopted TIP
• Appendix B: Performance Measures - identifies safety initiatives represented by the projects in the TIP
• Appendix C: List of Priority Projects (LOPP) - will be updated to include the version of the LOPP adopted by the MPO Board on June 4, 2026
• Appendix D: Glossary of Terms, Abbreviations, Funding Types/Codes, and Acronyms
• Appendix E: 5-Year Funded Projects - The work program furnished by the FDOT District 7. A notable change in the work program is the reflection of indirect costs in the project amounts
• Appendix F: FDOT Annual List of Obligated Projects - The FDOT’s annual list of obligated projects for the MPO’s planning area
• Appendix G: Local Agency Capital Improvement Programs - submitted lists of Local Agency Capital Improvement Plans for Citrus County, Hernando County, and the cities of Brooksville and Crystal River. Capital improvements are subject to the approval of the jurisdictional entities through their respective budget processes.
• Appendix H: 5-Year Schedule of Capital Improvements for Transit Systems in Citrus/Hernando County - contains the transit system lists of capital and operating needs and associated revenue funding sources for Hernando’s TheBus and the Citrus County Transit system.
• Appendix I: Transportation Disadvantaged 5-Year Program - contains the Transportation Disadvantaged 5-Year program lists submitted by Hernando County and Citrus County.
As noted above, the 5-Year Funded Projects List for the work program is provided by FDOT and is contained in Appendix E. The draft work program for FY2027-FY2031 total is $1,162,189,100 which includes the amount of funding that has occurred on the projects prior to FY2027 and the estimated costs through FY2031. The amount is a decrease by $68,251,130 from the FY2026-FY2030 TIP work program amount of $1,230,440,230.
The 2050 LRTP reflects the Hernando/Citrus MPO’s goal which is “to provide a safe and efficient transportation system that addresses the priorities of the community.” The objectives of the 2050 LRTP goal are: Safety, Economy, Mobility, Intermodal, Livability, Preservation, and Implementation. The projects reflected in the TIP are consistent with the 2050 LRTP and, therefore, are in conformance with the state and federal requirements for the Transportation Improvement Program.
On May 28, 2026, the MPO Board’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC), and Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) will have reviewed the FY2027-FY2031 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Due to the timing of the Board’s packet distribution, the recommendations of the Committees will be provided to the MPO Board at the June 4, 2026, meeting.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVES
The projects contained in the TIP are consistent with the strategic planning initiatives of Citrus and Hernando Counties by investing in its transportation facilities and safety-focused priorities.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
No financial impact at this time.
LEGAL NOTE
Pursuant to Chapter 339.175, Florida Statutes, the MPO Board has the authority to take the recommended action.
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the MPO Board review the draft Transportation Improvement Program for FY2027-FY2031, receive public comment, adopt it by a roll-call vote, authorizing the MPO Chair to execute the Endorsement Page, and for the MPO Staff to make any necessary edits requested by the FDOT, and submitting it to FDOT in accordance with federal and state regulations.