As work begins on the Westshore Interchange, drivers are eager to see if the project will alleviate the traffic problems in the area.

The Westshore Interchange is a crucial juncture where the Veterans Expressway, State Road 60 (Memorial Highway/Kennedy Boulevard), the Howard Frankland Bridge, and I-275 converge near Tampa International Airport.

Sean O’Flannery, who drives through the area daily, said, “You have too many cars all trying to exit one location.”

O’Flannery, also a driving instructor for Hillsborough County Schools, often discusses the airport roads in his classes. “I use the satellite map to show students how we could improve this traffic area to avoid crashes,” he explained.

His primary concern at the interchange is the frequent crashes. With so many cars merging, even minor incidents can cause significant delays.

“Normally, my commute takes about 45 minutes, but with a crash, it can take an hour and a half to two hours,” O’Flannery said.

Florida Department of Transportation officials believe the project will make the interchange safer and more efficient. Planned changes include constructing flyover ramps for direct access to the airport and I-275, widening State Road 60, and adding new express lanes on I-275.

The goal is to eliminate some of the current weaving maneuvers drivers must make.

O’Flannery hopes these improvements will help. As a driving instructor, he advises drivers on ways to improve traffic flow in the meantime. “We, as drivers, could do a lot more,” he said. “Firstly, we could reduce our speed. Secondly, use a blinker. Thirdly, give yourself enough distance from the car in front of you.”

Work on the interchange is expected to ramp up this year.

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(Image credit: Spectrum News)