TAMPA, Fla. — Both Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa are unveiling their lists of priority road safety projects for 2021 and will be submitting them to the All For Transportation Tax Committee for approval this week.
City of Tampa
The following are a few of the priority projects in the assigned construction phase for 2021.
- Floribraska Ave. (Tampa St. to 9th Ave.) Complete Streets & Safety Improvements
- This project provides for roadway improvements to accommodate bicycle and pedestrian facilities, including enhanced crosswalks, sidewalks, a bi-directional cycle track, and other safety measures.
DRIVING TAMPA BAY FORWARD | Road safety upgrades coming to Floribraska Avenue in Tampa Heights
- Main St. (MacDill Ave to Willow Ave.) Complete Street & Safety Improvements
- This project provides for roadway improvements to accommodate bicycle and pedestrian facilities, including enhanced crosswalks, sidewalks, bulb-outs, and other safety measures.
- Ybor City Traffic Signal Upgrades
- This project provides for the upgrade of 15 total traffic signals in Ybor City at a rate of 5 signals per year. This is in both the design and construction phase.
- Comprehensive Infrastructure for Tampa’s Neighborhoods (PIPES)
- This project provides for street resurfacing, traffic calming, pedestrian infrastructure improvements and traffic signal upgrades for the roadways within the following four general neighborhood areas:
- Forest Hills (Forest Hills and Historic Forest Hills);
- East Tampa (portions of Jackson Heights,
- College Hill/Belmont Heights, North Ybor);
- Macfarlane Park & Bowman Heights); and, Virginia Park.
- This project provides for street resurfacing, traffic calming, pedestrian infrastructure improvements and traffic signal upgrades for the roadways within the following four general neighborhood areas:
- Glen Ave. (Main St. to Columbus Dr.) Ditch Closure and Sidewalk
- This project provides for closure of the adjacent stormwater ditch to improve safety and construction of a sidewalk.
ABC Action News has been telling you how neighbors in West Tampa have been concerned about Glen Ave. because it is so narrow. They have seen drivers swerve off the road and crash into the ditch.
- InVision Tampa Streetcar
- This project provides for extension and modernization of the existing Tampa Streetcar system to Tampa Heights. In 2021, the city is looking to use some All For Transportation Tax money to complete the final design. They anticipate the final project will be co-funded by HART.
- Safe Routes to School
- The City of Tampa is also looking to spend money on three vision zero programs to update school zone beacons, crosswalks and sidewalks near schools.
Click here to view the full plan for the City of Tampa
Hillsborough County
The following are a few of the priority projects slated for funding in 2021 that tackle safety issues in some of the county's most severe crash corridors.
According to the county's 2021 plan, the projects include evaluation, project development, design, land acquisition and construction of countywide intersection operation and safety improvements.
That includes new, additional, and lengthened turn lanes; new and enhanced medians; new and enhanced traffic signals and signal alternatives; pedestrian and bicycle enhancements; and various other access and vehicle progression improvements.
Initial project locations identified through traffic investigation warrant studies and countywide top severe crash location analysis, according to Hillsborough County.
- Balm Riverview Rd @ Park Drive
- Bloomingdale Ave @ Pearson Rd
- CR 39 @ Lithia Pinecrest Rd
- Ehrlich Rd @ Casey Rd
- Falkenburg Rd @ Palm River Rd
- Habana Ave @ Sligh Ave
- Hanley Rd @ Paula Dr
- Lake Magdalene Blvd/Cr 587a @ Fletcher Ave
- Linebaugh Ave & Countryway Blvd
- Lumsden Rd @ Valrico Rd
- Memorial Hwy/Cr 576 @ Dana Shores Dr
- Orange Grove Dr @ Fletcher Ave
- Osprey Ridge Dr @ Fishhawk Blvd
- Parsons Ave @ Clay Ave
- Providence Rd @ Town Center Blvd
- Racetrack Rd @ Patterson Rd
- Racetrack Rd @ S Mobley Rd
- Rhodine Rd @ US 301
- Sheldon Rd @ Citrus Palm Dr
- Sligh Ave @ Manhattan Ave
- Symmes @ US 301
- Symmes Rd @ Bullfrog Creek
- Temple Terrace Hwy @ Harney Rd
- Waters Ave @ Habana
- Waters Ave @ Redbraes Dr
Future project locations will be identified through a countywide intersection masterplan.
However, there could be a major stumbling block in funding these projects. Voters approved the All for Transportation Surtax back in 2018. However, that money is currently tied up in a legal battle.
Now, county and city leaders are awaiting a decision by the Florida Supreme Court to see if they can move forward.
CONTINUING COVERAGE | Florida Supreme Court discusses 'All for Transportation' case
Millions of dollars have been collected from families across Hillsborough County since January 2019, with the aim of funding road improvement and safety projects. However, so far, none of that money has been dispersed.
The Florida Supreme Court could make a decision on this issue within the next few months.
