TAMPA, Fla. — Construction is underway on the South Selmon Capacity Project in an effort to reduce congestion on the Selmon Expressway as traffic continues to increase through Tampa.
The Selmon Expressway, which runs from south Tampa to Brandon, now sees 80% more traffic than it did 10 years ago. The project includes adding another lane in each direction through downtown.
“That project is really going to add a lot of value to the community,” said Gregory Slater, Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority’s chief executive officer. “It will add another lane in each direction. We’re improving 26 different bridges.”
The work also includes safety improvements, such as extended entrance ramps in south Tampa. The project is expected to be completed in 2029.
Tampa realtor Meghan Iacofano said the expressway is a major part of her daily routine.
“It’s integral in what I do for work, and in my family life, my free time,” Iacofano said. “It’s a big part of commuting everywhere I need to go.”
According to a recent USF study, the Selmon Expressway saves drivers an average of 29 hours a year. The study also noted there are more than 16,000 businesses within a mile of the expressway, which helps with job access in the area.
Leaders are also exploring a future expansion down U.S. 301, which Slater said could improve access to jobs in the southern Hillsborough County region.
“We’ll not only extend the Selmon down 301 and save people time, we’ll also give them accessibility to a ton more jobs in the area,” Slater said.
Iacofano said the added capacity would help drivers who have seen traffic increase over time.
“Over the years it’s gotten a bit more congested, and so to know there are efforts to expand those roadways to move people quicker is definitely very helpful,” she said.