Transit Assets and Opportunities Study Final Study Report September 2014 Prepared For: The Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in conjunction with The Tampa Downtown Partnership (TDP) TRANSIT ASSETS AND OPPORTUNITIES STUDY (TAOS) FINAL STUDY REPORT Prepared For: The Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in conjunction with The Tampa Downtown Partnership (TDP) Prepared By: URS SEPTEMBER 2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page Executive Summary: Downtown Transit Assets and Opportunities ............................................................ 6 1.0 Introduction and Project Description .............................................................................................. 6 1.1 Project Sponsors ................................................................................................................. 6 1.2 Project Management Team ................................................................................................ 6 1.3 Study Purpose ..................................................................................................................... 7 1.4 Goals and Objectives .......................................................................................................... 8 1.5 Population and Employment .............................................................................................. 8 1.6 Previous Efforts ................................................................................................................. 11 1.7 Existing and Future Roadway Conditions ......................................................................... 11 1.8 Opportunities .................................................................................................................... 11 2.0 Existing and Future Conditions ...................................................................................................... 18 2.1 Local and Regional Growth ............................................................................................... 18 2.2 Location of Population and Employment ......................................................................... 19 2.3 State of the Transportation System .................................................................................. 22 2.3.1 Roadways ............................................................................................................. 22 2.3.2 Capacity................................................................................................................ 22 2.3.3 Reliability ............................................................................................................. 27 2.3.4 Bus System ........................................................................................................... 28 2.3.5 Rail ....................................................................................................................... 28 2.3.6 Inter‐City Rail (Amtrak) ........................................................................................ 31 2.3.7 Other Rail ............................................................................................................. 31 2.3.8 Local Connections ................................................................................................ 33 2.3.9 TECO Line Streetcar ............................................................................................. 33 3.0 Previous Work ................................................................................................................................ 36 4.0 Opportunities ................................................................................................................................. 40 4.1 Reuse of Existing Infrastructure ........................................................................................ 40 4.2 Connect to Diverse Uses ................................................................................................... 42 4.3 Encourage Redevelopment ............................................................................................... 43 4.4 Reduce Liability of TECO Line Streetcar Crossing CSX ...................................................... 47 5.0 Technology Assessment ................................................................................................................. 49 5.1 Rail Technologies .............................................................................................................. 49 5.1.1 Commuter Rail ..................................................................................................... 49 5.1.2 Light Rail Transit ................................................................................................... 51 5.1.3 Tram ..................................................................................................................... 51 5.2 Rubber‐Wheeled Technologies ......................................................................................... 53 6.0 Feasibility ....................................................................................................................................... 56 6.1 CSX Corridor ...................................................................................................................... 56 6.2 Interstate Corridors .......................................................................................................... 58 6.3 Use of Existing TECO Line Streetcar System and Assets ................................................... 58 6.4 Use of Existing Arterial Street Network ............................................................................ 59 7.0 Definition of Alternative Systems .................................................................................................. 69 ii | Page 7.1 Alternative Systems Considered ....................................................................................... 69 7.1.1 Alternative 1 – I‐275/TECO Palm Loop – Light Rail with Tram ............................ 70 7.1.2 Alternative 2 – I‐275/TECO Line/CSX – Light Rail with Tram ............................... 71 7.1.3 Alternative 3 – Cypress/I‐275/TECO Line – Light Rail .......................................... 72 7.1.4 Alternative 4 – Laurel/I‐275/TECO Line – Light Rail ............................................. 73 7.1.5 Alternative 5 – Cypress/I‐275/TECO Line/CSX – Light Rail with DMU ................. 74 7.1.6 Alternative 6 – Cypress/I‐275/Florida/CSX – Tram with DMU ............................ 75 7.1.7 Alternative 7 – Main/I‐275/Central/CSX – Tram with DMU ................................ 76 7.1.8 Alternative 8 – IO‐275/TEC Nuccio Loop – Light Rail ........................................... 77 7.1.9 In‐Town Trolley – Enhancement of Existing Service ............................................ 77 7.1.10 In‐Town Trolley – East‐West Circulator ............................................................... 78 7.2 Evaluation of Alternatives Systems ................................................................................... 79 7.3 Costs Estimation Methodology ......................................................................................... 79 8.0 Public and Agency Involvement ..................................................................................................... 84 8.1 Project Management Team .............................................................................................. 84 8.2 Presentations to Interested Downtown Groups and Agencies ........................................ 84 8.3 Stakeholders Group Outreach .......................................................................................... 87 8.3.1 Process ................................................................................................................. 87 8.3.2 Stakeholder Meeting #1 ...................................................................................... 87 8.3.3 Stakeholder Meeting #2 ...................................................................................... 91 8.3.4 Stakeholder Meeting #3 ...................................................................................... 97 8.3.5 Stakeholder Meeting #4 .................................................................................... 102 9.0 Recommendations ....................................................................................................................... 105 9.1 Short‐Term Recommendations ....................................................................................... 105 9.2 Long‐Term Recommendations ........................................................................................ 111 9.3 Key Decisions and Next Steps ......................................................................................... 120 LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix A Stakeholder Meeting Materials Appendix B Systems Evaluation Process Appendix C Costs Estimation Methodology LIST OF TABLES Tables Page 2‐1 Hillsborough County Frequency and Type of Rail Cargo ............................................................... 41 2‐2 TECO Line Streetcar Hours of Operation ....................................................................................... 43 5‐1 Examples of Rubber‐Wheeled Vehicles ......................................................................................... 64 6‐1 Segment Evaluation Results ........................................................................................................... 77 iii | Page 7‐1 Phase