The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is undertaking a design change re-evaluation to study grade separation improvements at US 41/SR 45/South 50th Street from South of US41B/SR 45/SR 676/Causeway Boulevard to North of Causeway Boulevard in Hillsborough County. The project begins just south of the CSX Railroad Crossing and extends to the north of Causeway Boulevard, a distance of approximately 1.5 miles. This project is a re-evaluation of the Environmental Assessment (EA) with a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) previously approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in 1994. This re-evaluation will consider a full range of alternatives for improving mobility and safety along US 41, including a grade separation of US 41 and the CSX railroad crossing south of the intersection. This re-evaluation will include a thorough review of natural and social environmental impacts in the study area. The project team will evaluate these effects and compare the effects of each alternative. This project will be using the Statewide Acceleration Transformation (SWAT) process to facilitate key engagement efforts that will ensure timely development of both the recommended alternative and design-phase plans.
US 41 and Causeway Boulevard are vital arterial highways which serve the City of Tampa located in Hillsborough County. The proposed improvements have been identified in the Hillsborough County Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) 2045 Adopted Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).
Purpose and Need
The purpose of this project is to reduce traffic delays associated with the CSX railroad crossing, adequately support the safe movement of truck traffic and freight, and enhance connectivity among bicyclists and pedestrians. The US 41 and Causeway Boulevard intersection experiences traffic delays during the AM and PM peak periods with heavy truck traffic (10%-15% of the daily volume) traversing through the intersection. The presence of CSX railroad crossings to the south and east of the intersection also further contributes to these traffic delays. The CSX railroad crossing located to the south of the intersection causes traffic delays particularly during the AM peak period. This project will address traffic delays associated with the CSX railroad crossing to the south of the US 41 and Causeway Boulevard intersection and will facilitate the safe movement of truck traffic through the project corridor. In addition, this project will also address multimodal connectivity within the area. Between 2017 and 2021, there were 10 crashes involving bicyclists or pedestrians. These 10 crashes resulted in 1 fatality as well as a total of 8 injuries.