Tampa’s Green Spine Cycle Track Continues Construction in Ybor
The City of Tampa is moving forward with the next stage of the Green Spine, a bike path that runs from North Hyde Park to V.M. Ybor. The Green Spine was first introduced in the early 2010s as part of the InVision Tampa Center City Plan, aiming to create “an appealing and safe cross-city multi-use trail that connects the eastern and western neighborhoods of Center City to the Riverwalk and to each other.” The entire Green Spine spans 3.4 miles, with the construction for phases 2a, 3a, and 1 already completed. The current phase, phase 3, includes segments 3B and 3C, with a total cost of $1,830,338 for capital improvements. The segment will feature two-lane bike paths with 3-foot concrete buffers, providing better protection for cyclists compared to existing bike lanes in Tampa that use cost-effective flex posts or paint. Construction began in August 2024 and is slated for completion by September of the following year. Recent site photos show that construction on segment 3B (Nuccio Parkway) is already under way, while construction for phase 3C has not yet started. Phase 3C along N 15th St will remove an estimated 42 parking spaces, with 52 remaining. It will develop a connection from Cuscaden Park to North Hyde Park, sparking significant improvements in the neighborhood/surrounding areas ranging from reduced gas consumption, increased tourism, improved water and air quality, and increase community connectivity. To contact the City of Tampa regarding concerns or suggestions, click here for Segment 3C and here for Segment 3B.
Tampa’s TECO Streetcar Has Been Free Since 2018: That May Soon End
Fare-free ridership on the TECO Streetcar Line is quietly coming to an end, ending close to 6 years of free service. The Florida Department of Transportation’s final grant to maintain fare-free service will last until January 5, 2025. The news comes as ridership reaches record highs. A report from July shows that ridership hit 112,999, contributing to around 1.43 million trips in 2024 so far. The Streetcar Line introduced fare-free riding in 2018 thanks to a $2.7 million grant from FDOT, funding the service until 2021. Afterward, an additional grant of $1.4 million was provided to continue the service from 2021 to 2023. Concerns about the end of fare-free ridership resurfaced in 2024. FDOT has committed to a $700,000 grant for this year, but no promises have been made for the future. The team behind Tampa’s TECO Streetcar is working to change that. A Public Hearing on potential fare adjustments is scheduled for November 7, 2024, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM, providing opportunities for public comments and survey feedback. The leaders are eager to hear from community members and potentially gather insight into reinstating fare-free ridership. Additionally, seven stations will host Q&A sessions for residents to voice their concerns directly. Fare-Free ridership has been vital for Tampa’s economy. Dense neighborhoods like Tampa’s Water Street District, Channelside, or Ybor, have relied on the streetcar both for tourists and local passenger travel. If fare-free ridership ends, community investment is feared to dwindle. If you’re concerned about fares ending and can’t attend in-person sessions, there’s also an available online survey: TECO Streetcar Survey.