Tampa Bay Express (or TBX) is a series of projects comprising nearly 50 miles of roadway
improvements connecting the Pinellas Gateway, Westshore Business District, downtown Tampa and the University of South Florida areas. It includes replacement of the northbound Howard Frankland Bridge and reconstruction of I-275/State Road 60 Interchange in Westshore and the I-275/I-4 interchange, also known as the Downtown Tampa Interchange. TBX is a part of a comprehensive transportation plan that introduces dynamically-tolled express lanes within the median of I-275 and I-4 and transit opportunities throughout the system. During the original
Tampa Interstate Study, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) made numerous
commitments to mitigate this project’s impacts to the local community as a result of the public
outreach and agency coordination. The FDOT is working with the communities in downtown
Tampa to better define these commitments in context of the community’s vision and these will
be carried forward in the design-build contract.
Why is TBX needed?
The Tampa Bay area ranks high for traffic delay and overall congestion costs and the region is
expected to grow exponentially over the next several decades. Many sections of the interstate
are at or near capacity and need to be reconstructed. Reconstructing the interchanges and adding express lanes will improve the flow of traffic and provide transit opportunities throughout the region Average drive time may be shortened by 15–35 minutes depending on distance traveled and time of day.
The project will enhance regional economic development by actively managing congestion and
enhancing trip reliability for commuters, commercial drivers, transit, and public school buses.
Tampa Bay Express will not only provide a new travel lane choice for drivers but will also allow
public express buses to use the system without paying tolls. All of the overpasses will be
designed to accommodate bicycle and pedestrian amenities on the local road underneath. In
addition, adding capacity on the interstate and through the interchanges would improve traffic
conditions on adjacent local streets allowing for more complete street projects.
Tampa Bay Express will restore some of the community connections that were impacted by the construction of I-275 in the 1950s and 60s by extending numerous streets that were dead-ended at that time. To learn more about TBX go to http://www.tampabayexpress.com
Michelle Schofner, PE, PTOE