A major expansion project along the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway is set to begin next month, with construction expected to last several years and bring long-term traffic improvements to the corridor.
The $362 million project, led by the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority, will add a third lane in each direction along a 4.5-mile stretch of the expressway, from west of Himes Avenue to east of Florida Avenue in downtown Tampa.
Construction is scheduled to start in May and is expected to be completed by 2030.
In addition to adding lanes, the project includes upgrades to 26 bridges, new noise barriers in nearby neighborhoods, improved underpasses, and enhanced pedestrian features. Officials say the work will be funded through toll revenue rather than new taxes.
Transportation leaders say the expansion is needed to address increasing congestion in the rapidly growing Tampa Bay region. Traffic on the expressway has risen significantly in recent years, and continued population growth is expected to add further strain on the roadway.
The project aims to improve traffic flow, enhance safety, and reduce the need for drivers to use neighborhood streets as alternate routes.
While the construction is expected to cause periodic disruptions for drivers, officials say the long-term goal is to ease commutes and improve mobility along one of Hillsborough County’s busiest transportation corridors.
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