Navigating MAP-21 Workshop: Hidalgo County Profile Presented by Andrew A. Canon, Transportation Director Hidalgo County MPO 510 S Pleasantview Dr., Weslaco, TX 78596 | 956-969-5578 | www.hcmpo.org

Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Transportation Enhancements (TE), Safe Routes to School (SRTS), and Recreation Trails programs consolidated TAP Call for Projects FY 2015 – $3.6 Million available (includes FY13 &FY14 carry-over) Program Criteria is currently being established Estimated $1 Million per year after (within next 10 year (UTP years))

TAP: Previous Projects City of Hidalgo – Beautification of Pedestrian & Bicycle Access (2006 State Program Call) City of McAllen – Beautification of Hike & Bike Trail Extension on Bicentennial (2006 State Program Call) Edinburg Safe Routes to School

TAP: Currently Funded Projects FY2014 Edinburg Train Depot Renovation ($108,146) FY2014 Mercedes Landscape Entryway ($304,672) FY2014 Edinburg Hike & Bike Trail ($1,608,025) FY2016 McAllen-Bentsen Rd Hike & Bike Trail ($1,275,332, State Awarded) FY2016 Pharr Bicycle Accessible Improvement Project ($805,173, State Awarded) Striping of 22 miles of bicycle lanes

Surface Transportation Funds (STP) Category 7-Metropolitan Mobility/Rehabilitation: Approximately $12.5 million per year for next 10 years Category 9-Transportation Alternatives: $3.6 million in FY2015 & ~$1 million per year (10 years) Category 12 (Cat. 7 Reconciliation): Estimated $400,000 per year until FY2021 Projects are approved by Policy Board based on project readiness and regional significance

Surface Transportation Funds (STP) There is a required 80/20 Match for projects receiving STP funds MAP-21 requires all projects receiving federal funding to: consider bicycle & pedestrian facilities in their project design if not, provide reasoning for the exclusion of these facilities Owassa Rd, Pharr: Proposed Shared-Use Lanes

Bicycle / Pedestrian Task Force (Bike/Ped) Informal, open citizen advisory meetings consisting of advocates of local cycling/running organizations & other interested citizens, UTPA, & MPO Staff Included in planning process for Bike-Ped related projects within MPO Creation of Bicycle Plan, and other bicycle-related projects Bicycle Friendly Business Program Pedestrian Plan Transit Plan

Bicycle Plan Created in 1996 and updated in August 2012 Currently undergoing another update Identified 33 miles of existing bicycle facilities, including bicycle lanes, paved shoulders, and shared use paths. Estimated to increase Listed 82 miles of public-proposed facilities based on frequented routes Maps identified overlap of recommended improvements with future roadway improvements on MTP Relation to transit Food deserts

Bicycle Friendly Business Program Structured after the League of American Cyclists’s BFB Program Run by MPO Staff to recognize business that provide amenities to cyclists Businesses contact were based on a Cyclist Demand Survey in 2012 requested through Bike/Ped, including: Gyms Coffee Shops Bike Shops Restuarants Grocery Stores Amenities: Free water, Bike Racks/Parking, Access to changing facilities/bathrooms, discounts, proximity to bicycle lanes or transit, employee incentives such as relaxed dress code Promotes local economy, bicycle safety awareness, healthy alternative transportation

Bicycle Friendly Business Map Recognized BFBs will get a decal on their business Displayed on a free waterproof, foldable map, along with other points of interest Map shows existing bicycle facilities, along with street speeds along roadways with shoulders For personal use in planning routes and stops

Public Outreach Run, Ride Share Use of Public Involvement Funds to spread awareness Annual Walk N Rolla event held every Spring/Summer Promotes healthy alternative transportation 20k, 40k cycling events 5k walk/run Bike Rodeo Health Fair Run, Ride Share Safety Campaign started by City of McAllen Result of 3 deaths in first few months of 2014 in Hidalgo County MPO Partnership to create regional campaign Plans for Statewide adoption

Public Outreach: PSA Safe Passing

Public Outreach: Share the Road 9 Cities in Hidalgo County Passed Safe Passing Ordinance: Alamo, Alton, Edinburg, McAllen, Mission, Palmhurst, Pharr, San Juan, Weslaco Promoting Safe Passing Ordinances through Bumper Stickers PSA Clips at Movie Theaters Outreach at Back to School Fairs Public Outreach: Share the Road

Questions? Andrew A Canon Transportation Director Hidalgo County MPO 510 S Pleasantview Dr., Weslaco, TX 78596 956-969-5778 www.hcmpo.org info@hcmpo.org Linda de la Fuente Assistant Director Federal Funding Programs Karina Maldonado Transportation Planner Bike/Ped Coordinator Chanel Borrego Transportation Planner Walk N Rolla Coordinator Search HCMPO