Sidewalk Planning
Currently, the County budgets $250,000 per year to address sidewalk needs countywide. This money not only funds construction, but also planning, design and any necessary right-of-way or easements. Transportation Planning tries to leverage the County funds as a match to grant dollars to be able to stretch the County funding as far as possible. In addition to the County funds, the Collier Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) who is responsible for long range multi-modal transportation planning for our area, also sets aside a portion of their urban discretionary funding toward pathway type improvements. The MPO Board has made a policy decision to fund pathways projects, bridge projects and congestion projects in an alternating pattern. This funding equates to approximately $4,000,000 per year. These funds are typically programmed 5 years out. The MPO is likely to have a call for bicycle and pedestrian projects for the prioritizing cycle in 2021 or 2022 for potential funding of the prioritized projects in fiscal year 2026/27 or 2027/28.
The MPO Board is comprised of all five Commissioners, 2 representatives from the City of Naples, 1 representative each from the City of Marco Island and Everglades City. The MPO Board prioritizes projects that are consistent with their adopted Comprehensive Pathway Plan, which is a needs list of bicycle and pedestrian projects. The MPO, in coordination with their Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee, is in the process of updating this critical plan. In order to be eligible for MPO funding, pathway projects must be prioritized, included or referenced in the Comprehensive Pathway Plan. It is important to participate in this process to have your priority identified in the Plan. Additional projects referenced in the Plan are included in the Walkable Community Studies. These studies are done in specific communities and provide recommendations of prioritized bicycle and pedestrian projects for potential future funding.
The MPO’s website is www.colliermpo.com The website provides information regarding upcoming meetings, agenda packets and also offers the opportunity to sign up for e-news, so you will be informed of meetings and opportunities for input. The Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee typically meets monthly on the third Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. at 2800 North Horseshoe Drive, Conference Room 609/610. The MPO Board typically meets on the second Friday of each month at 9:00 a.m. in the Board of County Commissioners Chambers. All MPO Board and advisory committee meetings are open to the public and the public is encouraged to participate and provide input and feedback.
Links:
Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (formerly known as the Comprehensive Pathways Plan)