On Monday, Governor Ron DeSantis was joined by Senate President Wilton Simpson, House Speaker Chris Sprowls, and Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault to announce three transportation projects that will improve the efficient, safe and reliable travel for residents, businesses and visitors to the Tampa Bay area.
These projects are part of a $2 billion investment in the 2021-2022 budget to make key transportation improvements in Florida highways and seaports.
The three projects Governor DeSantis announced are enhancements to the Howard Frankland Bridge, the advancement of the Westshore Interchange, and the advancement of the I-275, I-4 Interchange.
“The Tampa region is growing exponentially, and it’s important that we support that growth with strong infrastructure,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Today, I was proud to be joined by Speaker Sprowls, President Simpson and Secretary Thibault to announce three key projects for the Tampa Bay region, which represent a historically significant investment in the region’s transportation network.”
HOWARD FRANKLAND BRIDGE
One of the region’s most important transportation projects is the Howard Frankland Bridge. The bridge was first built in 1959, and is now more than 60 years old. 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.
WESTSHORE INTERCHANGE
Tampa’s Westshore Interchange is one of the region’s top transportation priorities. The modernization of the Westshore Interchange will transform the area and allow efficient, safe, and reliable travel for 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 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.
DOWNTOWN TAMPA I-275, I-4 INTERCHANGE
FDOT will be advancing the downtown Tampa Interchange between I-275 and I-4, representing an investment of more than $150 million into the local economy. Currently, drivers that use the Downtown Tampa Interchange experience significant backups regularly. The interchange is a key chokepoint that has been identified as one of the most congested interchanges for freight movement in the country. FDOT’s improvements to the interchange will address the chokepoint and work to alleviate congestion.
“The project advancements announced today are critical to enhancing safety and connectivity within the Tampa region and across Florida’s overall transportation system,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin J. Thibault, P.E. “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.”
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