The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has been awarded two grants to enhance and transportation in Florida. The grants, awarded in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Transportation, bring over $37 million in new funding to Florida.
Here is where that funding is going in the Tampa Bay area:
Clearwater Multimodal Transit Center
This project in Downtown Clearwater will replace the existing Park Street Terminal with a new, more energy-efficient facility.
Changes include:
- Approximately 17 bus bays
- Two electric bus charging stations and capacity for future charging stations
- Access for future light rail on South East Avenue
- Ticketing and restroom facilities
- Drop off area for ride hailing/sharing
The existing Park Street Terminal has long been overcrowded and in need of significant repairs. This new facility will be reconstructed at a nearby site that will accommodate the existing bus fleet, improve options to use ride-share, bike, or walk, support PSTA’s future electric fleet conversion and service expansions, and remedy significant safety and accessibility concerns. It will be more energy efficient by using a high performing thermal building envelope, high efficiency mechanical equipment, schedule optimization software/sensors, and assumed net-zero power utilization with the grid tied solar system on the building roof.
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New Berth 301
The project will construct a new Berth 301 at the Port Redwing facility. Port Redwing is a Port of Tampa facility near Gibsonton, Florida. This project will connect Berths 300 and 302 with a 1,025-foot dock. The facility will have a 3,000- linear-foot berth capable of simultaneously docking three of the largest dry bulk/multi-purpose cargo vessels that can navigate the newly expanded Big Bend Channel.
The new berth will reduce the number of vehicles truck miles and reduce vessel idling times. The project will add capacity and make shipping more efficient, which will help ease supply chain challenges, while creating over 800 full-time jobs. In the first year of operations, the applicant estimates that the project would reduce truck travel by 2.84 million miles and reduce 7,722 tons of emissions, while saving on highway infrastructure maintenance.
