TPO to Review Budget and Countywide Bicycle-Pedestrian Master Plan Monday

The Gainesville and Alachua County Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) will convene Monday, September 14, 2026, at 3 p.m. to address key transportation initiatives for the region. The meeting, held in the Grace Knight Conference Room at the Alachua County Administration Building, will focus on approving the annual operating budget and the Countywide Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan.

Residents should note these decisions directly impact local infrastructure and how transportation funds are allocated. The TPO's work guides federal and state transportation funding for the Gainesville metropolitan area, affecting everything from road maintenance to new transit options.

A central item on the agenda is the approval of the TPO's Annual Operating Budget. This budget outlines how the organization will manage its resources for the upcoming year, covering planning activities and administrative costs. Another significant item is the approval of the Alachua County Countywide Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan. This plan aims to enhance active transportation options across the county, potentially leading to new bike lanes, sidewalks, and pedestrian safety improvements.

The meeting will also include updates on regional transit projects, specifically a monthly report from the Regional Transit System (RTS). Attendees will hear about regional infrastructure initiatives, including an updated concept plan for SR 26 (Newberry Road) from NW 43rd Street to NW 38th Street. Other agenda items include a review of draft TPO Bylaws, Policies, and Procedures, and consideration of Local Government/TPO Requests.

The TPO is responsible for the continuing, comprehensive, and cooperative urban transportation planning program for the Gainesville metropolitan area. Its voting members include the five Alachua County commissioners, the City of Gainesville's mayor and six commissioners, a representative from the Gainesville-Alachua County Regional Airport Governing Board, a School Board of Alachua County representative, and an Alachua County rural municipality representative.

The public can attend the meeting in person at 12 SE 1st St., Gainesville, and offer comments on agenda items or other topics. Speakers should limit comments to three minutes. For those unable to attend, the meeting will be broadcast on Cox Channel 12, the AC TV app (Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple TV), the county's Facebook and YouTube sites, and the county's Video on Demand website. Written or photographic documents for consideration should be submitted one business day before the meeting to [email protected]. Questions about participation can be directed to the TPO at 352-337-6207.