Tampa traffic congestion9/13/2023 ![]() Petersburg, the Carillon/Gateway Area, Westshore, Downtown Tampa, and the University/Innovation District). "Our region is unique because we do not have just one or two major central business districts – Tampa Bay has five (Downtown St. Tampa's unique geography impacts drivers too. This is especially true for traffic on southbound I-275 coming from the USF area heading west on I-4." says Carson. However, now the two interchanges on either end act as bottlenecks because the 4 lanes merge into 2 lanes just before the junction. The I-275 reconstruction between Westshore and Downtown improved congestion along that stretch of highway because additional lanes were added. "We strive to reduce congestion as much as possible with projects that address specific problems such as bottlenecks. Kris Carson, Public Information Officer at FDOT explains why I-275, despite a widening project, continues to see some of the worst backups and delays. It's disappointing to deal with what we deal with every day on our roads," says Altieri. "I wish they'd plan a little better and expand thoses roads in advance of the population booms that come. I take the back roads until I get south of Busch and Bird before I even decide to get on 275," says Altieri, who carpools downtown every day with his son. Ray Altieri owns and operates his own company from downtown Tampa. ![]() You can't do that anymore," says Diamond.įor drivers on I-275 south from the apex toward I-4, traffic is bumper to bumper every morning. You used to be able to go out on the weekends and 'joyride', that's what we called it. In Hillsborough County alone, areas seeing the most growth include Channelside, Riverview, and Fish Hawk. Something else that impacts traffic is a building boom and the Bay Area is seeing several right now. Tampa traffic is gunna give me an actual heart attack one day The better the economy, the more traffic we see on the roadways," says Jean Duncan, Director Transportation and Stormwater Services for the City of Tampa. "The better the economy, the more development, more folks are purchasing gas, driving, and spending monies at restaurants, shopping malls, etc. It means Tampa is successful and an attractive place where there's job and economic growth.Įconomic growth is one of the driving factors for congestion. Beth Alden, Executive Director with the Metropolitan Planning Commission, says that's a good thing. We asked traffic engineers, transportation leaders and planners, and the Florida Department of Transportation to weigh in on one question: "What's up with Tampa's traffic?"Įarlier this year Forbes listed Tampa as one of the fastest growing U.S. Congestion on Bay Area roads is expected to double, possibly even triple, in the next 20 years. Tampa has a traffic problem and no permanent solution.
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