HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Department of Transportation is wrapping up work on five I-4 interchange projects in Hillsborough County aimed at improving safety and easing traffic congestion.
The work is focused on interchanges along I-4 in the Dover and Plant City areas, where drivers often see delays. The interchanges are Mango Road, McIntosh Road, Branch Forbes Road, Thonotosassa Road and Park Road.
At McIntosh Road, drivers are now seeing additional turn lanes onto I-4 and wider exit ramps. Similar improvements are underway at the four other nearby interchanges, including new traffic lights and additional lanes.
Kris Carson with FDOT said the agency heard from drivers about the need for changes at the interchanges.
“We had a lot of phone calls over the years that drivers needed an extra turn signal or needed extra storage on the ramps, so we were able to get this done quickly,” Carson said. “It’s also going to help with traffic flow.”
The changes are being noticed near the McIntosh Road interchange, including at the Strawberry Bakery Café, just north of I-4.
“It’s a lot of congestion for sure,” said Karen Ontiveros, whose family owns the café. “Coming down McIntosh. So it becomes difficult.”
Ontiveros said her family opened the café two years ago. In that time, she says they have seen plenty of traffic issues nearby. She hopes the work will improve safety for drivers in the area.
“Accidents happen a lot,” she said. “And if it’s beneficial for us and everybody else, it would be great.”
FDOT said work on the interchange upgrades is expected to be complete by the end of August.