The Florida Department of Transportation, District 7 is re-evaluating the needed improvement of I-275 at the I-4 Interchange in Downtown Tampa as a part of the Tampa Bay Next project. The purpose of a reevaluation is to identify any changes to the original study documents, review new natural and social environmental impacts, and ensure any new federal laws are met. A main component of the re-evaluation is public engagement. The purpose of public engagement is to identify neighborhood concerns and look for ways to mitigate them. The reevaluation is sent to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for final approval.
Reevaluation Has Begun!
In 1987, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) began the development of the Tampa Interstate System (TIS) Master Plan. The objective of this plan was to find alternatives and recommend travel improvements for the local area. The FDOT received FHWA approval of the TIS Master Plan in 1989 and later received approval of the plan’s environmental documents in 1996.
In March 2015, FDOT, District Seven started a Project Development & Environment (PD&E) Study Reevaluation for I-275 at I-4 Interchange in Hillsborough County. This study will update the environmental documents previously approved by the FHWA and evaluate the use of express toll lanes as a transportation improvement.