Overview
The Southeast Florida metropolitan area is currently developing a 2035 Regional Long Range Transportation Plan, that will focus on regional activity among the three counties of Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade. Emphasis on regional planning and collaboration in Florida has increased with the expansion and merger of urbanized areas crossing more county lines and the emergence of regional economies. In 2000, one in five Floridians commuted to a job in another county. Throughout Florida, economic development interests have forged regional partnerships in recognition of the need for and benefits of collaboration. This common regional element for the 2035 Long Range Transportation Plans (LRTPs) of the Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) is a key part of the evolving shift to regional-level thinking and action in Southeast Florida.
History / Background
A draft Regional Transportation Plan was developed in 2006 by the Regional Long Range Transportation Plan Committee. This draft will set the foundation for the 2035 official plan. By enhancing the level of coordination among the three counties through the development of a Regional Plan, the following is accomplished:
- Development and implementation of a regional long range transportation plan (RLRTP) for the combined tri-county planning area
- Development and implementation of a regional prioritization process, yielding a single list of prioritized regionally significant projects for their tri-county planning area
- Development and implementation of a regional public involvement process to build public understanding and awareness of the region and regional transportation issues and opportunities
- Continuation of regional-level air quality planning efforts
- Generation of regional land use strategies with the South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils
- Development and utilization of performance measures to assess the effectiveness of these enhanced regional coordination efforts.
Purpose
The Regional Transportation Plan will be used to determine the tri-county area’s needs through the year 2035. Due to the continuing funding constraints, this plan will be used to also determine which projects are of highest priority from a regional standpoint. By creating a formal Regional Transportation Plan, additional funding sources may become available for transportation projects on the Corridors of Regional Significance.