1. Navigating MAP-21 Workshop: Hidalgo County Profile
Presented by Andrew A. Canon, Transportation Director
Hidalgo County MPO
510 S Pleasantview Dr., Weslaco, TX | |

2. 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))

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Public Outreach: PSA Safe Passing

13. 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

14. Questions?
Andrew A Canon
Transportation Director
Hidalgo County MPO 510 S Pleasantview Dr., Weslaco, TX
Linda de la Fuente
Assistant Director Federal Funding Programs
Karina Maldonado
Transportation Planner Bike/Ped Coordinator
Chanel Borrego
Transportation Planner Walk N Rolla Coordinator
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