17-36RESOLUTION NO. 17-36
A RESOLUTION OF THE CLEARWATER CITY COUNCIL
SUPPORTING THE PINELLAS SUNCOAST TRANSIT
AUTHORITY (PSTA) IN ITS EFFORTS TO DESIGN AND
CONSTRUCT A BUS WAY ON THE MEMORIAL
CAUSEWAY AND BRIDGE CONNECTING DOWNTOWN
CLEARWATER TO CLEARWATER BEACH;
REQUESTING ADMINISTRATION TO WORK WITH PSTA,
FORWARD PINELLAS AND STAKEHOLDERS TO
FINALIZE ENGINEERING AND COST ESTIMATES;
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Clearwater Beach is one of the top beaches in the world attracting
visitors and residents alike; and
WHEREAS, Maximizing access to beach hotels, restaurants, events and
employment opportunities are key to the vitality of the economy of Pinellas County; and
WHEREAS, PSTA and the City of Clearwater (City) desire a more robust and
innovative public transportation system that incorporates evolving technologies to
benefit the residents, employees and visitors in Pinellas County; and
WHEREAS, the City is committed to a vision for better public transportation
options as demonstrated through its partnership with PSTA for the beach trolley
services and the Clearwater Beach Bus Way as well its contract with the Clearwater
Ferry; and
WHEREAS, PSTA has received a grant of $1.0 million in SFY18 from the State
Legislature to complete the design of the Clearwater Beach Bus Way from the base of
the Memorial Causeway Bridge to the planned Clearwater Beach Transit Center (under
construction); and
WHEREAS, the City and PSTA are working in partnership with the Florida
Department of Transportation to develop up to two concepts for consideration in the
design process; and
WHEREAS, PSTA will submit the Project to the United States Department of
Transportation - Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER)
program by a deadline of October 16, 2017 with the anticipation of construction to begin
no later than the end of FY2020; and
WHEREAS, PSTA and City representatives will continue discussions with
stakeholders through the design and construction of the Project; and
WHEREAS, the Project would benefit visitors and residents by providing
congestion free public transportation services across the bridge in addition to being
Resolution No. 17-36
regularly available for use by first responders and available for emergency/hurricane
evacuation by residents, as needed; and
WHEREAS, the construction of an exclusive running way would lend itself for use
by future projects and technologies such as autonomous or driverless vehicles; now,
therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA:
Section 1. City Council recognizes the benefits of improved transit
connections to the City's and County's economic vitality and hereby supports the
Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority in its efforts to design and construct the Clearwater
Beach Bus Way connecting downtown Clearwater to Clearwater Beach in partnership
with the Florida Department of Transportation.
Section 2. City Council requests City administration to work with PSTA,
Forward Pinellas and other stakeholders to finalize engineering and cost estimates for
the Clearwater Beach Bus Way.
Section 3. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its
adoption.
2017.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 5th day of October
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George N. Cretekos
Mayor
Approved - to form: Attest:
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Assistant Ci
orney
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Rosemarie Call
City Clerk
Resolution No. 17-36