It's been a long two-and-a-half years since Hillsborough County has done anything serious about its numerous transportation issues. Supporters who pushed for the transit tax that would have propelled the construction of a light-rail system in the county were stunned after the measure went down in a landslide defeat in November of 2010. But a new group of transit activists has rallied for months voicing that it's time for the county to get back into the game.
Today, the Board of County Commissioners voted and agreed to approve the formation of a new policy group consisting of the county's three elected mayors — who represent Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace — as well as officials who lead other major agencies in the county (like HART, the Aviation Authority, the Port Authority, and the Expressway Authority).
The group will be led by outside consultant Herb Marlowe, who said the guiding principals will be to find solutions that create "a significant rate of investment and truly add value," because only then can there be funding.
Commissioner Mark Sharpe and others also said the county must do more to shore up its reputation as being one of the most dangerous areas in the country for pedestrians and bicyclists.
This article appears in Mar 14-20, 2013.