TAMPA, Fla. — Ongoing construction on Himes Avenue in Tampa is frustrating some residents because the road has been shut down several times in recent years.
What You Need To Know
Drivers say Himes Avenue frequently closes in Tampa with no warning
Work is often in the same area near Cypress Street
The city says the most recent closure was for an ongoing water repair
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The latest closure saw drivers on Himes Avenue detoured near Cypress Street in November.
It came as no surprise to Tony Webster.
“I would estimate that in the same hundred-yard span, they’ve been out there no less than 10-12 times,” Webster said.
Webster has lived off this part of Himes Avenue for the last 14 years. But over the last few years, he says roadwork has become a common disruption, often with no warning.
“Just creates a general traffic scenario, I’m going to call it dangerous. People aren’t used to being deviated off of Himes,” Webster said.
He says he can live with some road work — after all, it is Tampa — but he wonders why it’s now been multiple closures instead of just one.
“I think the thing is that if you’re on a project 8-10 times in the same basic area, why aren’t you just fixing the entire area? Why are we doing these small stopgaps?” Webster said.
And those closures have happened as traffic has increased on Himes Avenue with new developments nearby like Midtown Tampa.
“Especially during rush hour, there is a substantial amount. Or if 275 is backed up. This is a shortcut for people on and off Kennedy,” Webster said.
City of Tampa officials told Real Time Traffic Expert Tim Wronka that this latest closure was for an emergency water line repair. Webster said he’s been told similar reasons in previous closures, especially as development has increased in that area and utility work has increased.
“I’m sure they will be back. If history is indicative of what’s going to happen in the future,” Webster said.
The city of Tampa has a new resource for road closures on the city website.
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