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<\/p>\nA federally backed accelerator group is unveiling priority projects Wednesday, including a premium transit linking TPA to downtown Tampa.<\/p>\n
TAMPA, Fla. \u2014 Regional leaders are gathering virtually Wednesday morning for a session called “From Vision to Action,” revealing a shortlist of five transportation projects aimed at better connecting downtown Tampa, Tampa International Airport and the Westshore Business District.<\/p>\n
The meeting is hosted by the Tampa Bay Regional Infrastructure Accelerator, known as the Tampa Bay RIA \u2014 a U.S. Department of Transportation-backed initiative that uses innovative financing, public-private partnerships and regional collaboration to help move major transit projects from planning to construction more quickly.<\/p>\n
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Leaders are sharing updates on the RIA’s progress, unveiling the shortlisted projects advancing through evaluation and outlining next steps for implementation efforts across the region.<\/p>\n
\nShortlisted projects advancing through evaluation <\/p>\n
TPA to Downtown Premium Transit \u2014 a high-quality transit connection between Tampa International Airport and downtown TampaWestshore Intermodal Center \u2014 a multi-modal transit hub serving the Westshore Business DistrictI-275 Managed Lanes \u2014 dedicated lanes on Interstate 275 to ease congestion and improve travel reliabilityAlt. 19 Bus Rapid Transit \u2014 a BRT corridor along Alternate U.S. 19Invision Streetcar Extension \u2014 an expansion of Tampa’s existing streetcar network <\/p>\n
Bemetra Simmons, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Partnership and one of Wednesday’s speakers, described the accelerator’s role as a facilitator rather than a builder.<\/p>\n
“The Tampa Bay RIA helps clear the path,” he said. “It brings partners together, structures smarter funding solutions, and provides the technical support needed to move projects forward faster. It\u2019s not building projects itself. It\u2019s making sure they\u2019re ready to go. That means fewer delays, stronger financing strategies, and better coordination across agencies. And ultimately, that\u2019s what turns plans into real, deliverable projects.”<\/p>\n