TAMPA, Fla. — Drivers and businesses on Kennedy Boulevard in Tampa may be dealing with some extra traffic delays over the next several months.
The Florida Department of Transportation is now working on an improvement project there that has reduced lanes in a busy area, between Armenia and Willow avenues.
What You Need To Know
FDOT is now working on an improvement project that has reduced lanes between Armenia and Willow avenues
It’s for an improvement project that includes repaving, updating curbs, sidewalks and replacing the drainage system
The reduced lanes are set to be in place for the next six months
That’s also where Buddy Brew opened its first location 15 years ago, where CEO Dave Ward is now preparing for some disruption in traffic.
“We loved the Kennedy location. We loved the building,” Ward said.
He said it’s also been a great location due to the passing traffic in and out of downtown Tampa. However, it is now moving a bit different due to roadwork.
“Anytime there is construction in front of your business, it’s going to impact your business,” Ward said.
But Ward also understands the roadwork is needed.
The construction is for an improvement project that includes repaving, updating curbs, sidewalks and replacing the drainage system on that stretch of Kennedy Boulevard to relieve flooding.
“If drainage improves, that’s big,” Ward said. “We have water coming into the building anytime there’s pretty much a major rain event that happens. I think improving that drainage is going to go a long way to solving that problem.”
The reduced lanes are set to be in place for the next six months. Work will be done in the south side of Kennedy while traffic is shifted to the north side.
“We’ll work our way through it. No. But is it necessary? 100 percent,” he said. “It’s one of those things, you just have to push forward.”
While that temporary pattern on Kennedy will be in place for the next six months, the total project is expected be done by spring in 2027.