Hillsborough voters will not see light rail plan before sales tax vote

Voters who are being asked to fund a light rail transportation system in the Tampa Bay area will not have final cost numbers or routes to consider before they weigh in at the polls.

During the Nov. 2 general election, voters in Hillsborough County will be considering a penny sales tax increase which would be spent on light rail, road improvements and increased bus transit in the area.

The light rail proposal — projected to cost billions to construct and operate — is generating the most debate. This week the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority, the transportation agency charged with completing planning for the project, announced it will not have a final plan to present to voters before the election.

Proponents of light rail had hoped to present a final to voters before the election, but public meetings will be held in Hillsborough in September during which extensive details on projected costs and routes will be presented, HART officials tell The Florida Independent.

HART board members will then be presented with recommendations from the public on the project and decide on a final plan in November, but both will take place after the election, according to HART spokeswoman Deborah Tamargo.