Florida Seaport System Plan - SeaCIP

Florida Seaport System Plan
• Reflection in Local and Regional Planning. While FDOT and its seaport
partners work together to identify key infrastructure improvements, local
and regional planning organizations are responsible for documenting
comprehensive transportation programs through the development of longrange
transportation plans (LRTP), transportation improvement programs
(TIP), strategic regional policy plans (SRPP), and local government
comprehensive plans; it is through these mechanisms that state and Federal
funding flow to local projects. In addition, these organizations are involved
with local development initiatives and lead community outreach programs
to help establish public priorities as well as educate the public on key
development opportunities. As such, seaport needs and investment
strategies should be coordinated and included within these programs and
documents. This requires both FDOT and seaports to work with these local
and regional partners.
• Reflection in Other State Planning. As illustrated above, significant state
planning occurs outside of or in addition to the Seaport Office and the
Seaport System Plan. While the FTP establishes the overall goals, and the
SIS addresses investments in key strategic infrastructure elements, a series
of modal plans ensure that the entire transportation system is covered.
Modal system plans for each mode are maintained to establish policies,
identify needs, and advise investment priorities. The development, update,
and implementation activities of the modal plans are led by modal offices,
with key support from District staff. Modal plans provide an opportunity to
engage private partners in the planning process. It is important that these
plans identify and acknowledge intermodal connectivity with their
counterparts. For example, the Rail System Plan has identified rail needs
specific to connections with seaports. At a more disaggregated level,
FDOT’s districts undertake regional planning initiatives that also feed into
state modal system plans. For example, some districts have conducted
feasibility studies for the development of new freight hubs like intermodal
logistics centers. In order to ensure a comprehensive and integrated
transportation system, all of these initiatives must be coordinated.
• Coordination of Funding Efforts. Funding transportation improvements
has become a more significant challenge in recent years, as needs increase
and revenues decrease. As a result, the ability to leverage both public and
private funds has become critical. Florida’s seaport system has long been
financed through public/private partnerships, with state matches varying by
type of project. Seaports themselves engage in additional partnerships with
tenants and steamship lines to expand terminal capacities. In addition,
partnerships with Federal agencies, like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
drive major programs like maintenance and deepening dredging projects.
Recently, Federal stimulus funding has provided additional opportunities.
In all of these instances, coordination is critical as various funding programs
are brought together to pay for major improvements. This coordination
helps ensure needs are addressed in their entirety – that is, a particular
bottleneck is not partially addressed due to funding shortfalls. Seaport
partners must remain coordinated to ensure available funds are brought to
the most strategic of projects.
6-12 Florida Department of Transportation
December 2010