The state of Florida announced three major projects to improve traffic in Tampa. | Stock Photo
The state of Florida announced three major projects to improve traffic in Tampa. | Stock Photo
Traffic in Tampa should be getting better, the state said.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced projects to improve the Howard Frankland Bridge, the Westshore interchange and the Interstate 275, Insterstate 4 interchange. It's part of a $2 billion investment in Florida's highways and seaports, the governor said.
"The Tampa region is growing exponentially, and it’s important that we support that growth with strong infrastructure,” DeSantis said in a statement.
He said the Tampa projects represent "a historically significant investment in the region’s transportation network.”
The improvements will improve traffic and safety, said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin J. Thibault.
“The Westshore and Downtown Tampa interchange projects will directly enhance mobility in the region, and I am eager to get these projects completed much earlier than previously planned,” he said in the statement.
The Howard Frankland Bridge is more than 60 years old, according to the statement.
"FDOT is adding enhancements and capacity to the bridge that will modernize the essential connection between Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, and support the regional economy," the governor's news release said.
Modernizing the Westshore Interchange will "transform the area and allow efficient, safe and reliable travel for the more than 4,000 businesses, 96,000 employees and the countless visitors who come from the Tampa International Airport to watch the world champion Bucs and Lightning play," the news release said. "The early phases of this project represent over $560 million in direct investment in the local economy, and with the future phases coming online soon, this investment will exceed $1.2 billion."
The improvements are expected to relieve regular backups on the Downtown Tampa interchange between I-275 and I-4.
"The interchange is a key chokepoint that has been identified as one of the most congested interchanges for freight movement in the country," the release said. "FDOT’s improvements to the interchange will address the chokepoint and work to alleviate congestion."
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