A quick overview of four local street improvement projects in Hillsborough County.
[att_container type=”tabs”][att_element title=”YBOR’s relief from trucks, opens doors”]It might not immediately feel any differently, but on December 8, 2016, two main roadways moving through Ybor City were handed over to the City of Tampa from the state. The one-way pair of 21st and 22nd Streets from Adamo Drive to Hillsborough Avenue now belong to the city. What makes this exciting news is that trucks will now be restricted from using these roadways as a cut-through to I-4. Local deliveries can still occur, but longer trips are expected to be taken using the I-4/Selmon Connector. Without the truck traffic, the city can proceed with reducing lanes, providing wider sidewalks, on-street parking, decorative lighting, and additional landscaping, all leading to slower traffic that makes walking through this historic area more comfortable. Read about the improvements on TBO.com.[/att_element][att_element title=”Himes Avenue safety project”]The well-traveled section of Himes Avenue from Kennedy Boulevard to Columbus Drive is about to get a facelift. At the City of Tampa’s request, the FDOT set aside Federal Highway Safety Funds to transform this 5-lane section by adding a median to define where motorists should queue when turning, striping bike lanes, adding a midblock crossing, and best of all, reducing the speed limit. Work is expected to begin in 2018. Visit the City’s webpage for more information.[/att_element][att_element title=”Brandon congestion relief”]In the greater Brandon area, construction is anticipated in early 2017 on Hillsborough County’s Bell Shoals Road. The project calls for widening between Bloomingdale Avenue and Boyette Road. In addition to adding 2 lanes, a raised median, turn lanes, and signal improvements will be included. Not far from there, at Lumsden and Lithia Pinecrest Road, intersection improvements are being studied with construction to begin mid 2017. Other work has been completed in the Bloomingdale area to add lighting and more visible crosswalk markings. Intersection and signal improvements have been completed at Durant & S. Valrico Road and Brooker & Bryan Roads.[/att_element][att_element title=”US 92 PD&E Study”]FDOT just held two public meetings to receive comments about a proposal to widen US 92 through much of eastern Hillsborough County. The MPO has identified two segments as high priorities to receive available funds: the portion near I-75, west of Mango Road, and the portion east of Plant City, adjacent to the Polk County line. These areas are priorities because they have the highest congestion forecasts and also because they have the potential to promote job growth in the business districts they improve access to. FDOT has set aside funds to advance these two segments into the design and engineering phase in 2017.[/att_element][att_element title=”Overpass Road PD&E Study”]Pasco County is working with FDOT on proposed improvements to Overpass Road that could include a new I-75 interchange in the rapidly growing Wesley Chapel area of Pasco County – For further information, please contact Kevin Sumner, Project Manager at ksumner@pascocountyfl.net or 727-834-3604.[/att_element][/att_container]