I-275 What’s Next?

We keep hearing the importance of I-275 from Bearss Avenue to Downtown. We're told it's a regional highway, it's needed for hurricane evacuations, but the truth is it's not. In the event of an evacuation, that portion of I-275 merges onto I-75 creating a bottleneck. As for it being regional is up to debate because 66% of usage is between USF and Downtown. We're asked to agree to more pollution, more cars and nothing in the way of expanding our mass transit system to reduce congestion on state roads Florida and Nebraska. I emphasize state because funding comes from FDOT the same agency developing I-275. So, the same agency funds both but the emphasis are consistently on I-275.

To effect change please attend the upcoming Citizens Advisory Board to the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) this coming Wednesday, May 15th at 9:00 am at the Hillsborough County Center on 601 E Kennedy Blvd, 19th floor.

Talking points:

Modified No Build Option

* Begin and finish the HART BRT study for Florida, Fowler, and Nebraska and establish a completion date

* Finish the Heights Mobility Study and set completion date

* Prioritize CSX studies with projected completion dates

* Prioritize all local non-interstate Vision Zero improvements

* Keep section 7 as its separate project because the dynamics are different from Westshore (decouple Westshore and Downtown interchanges within Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS)

* Add trees along the entire route as were promised years ago

* Develop the Boulevard Tampa concept and present it as part of a cohesive long term transit plan

* Do not add more general use lanes to the corridor

* Support studying the #BlvdTampa

* Consider reduced speed limits by time of day on I-275. Use FDOT 45 mph rule

* Capital investment to expand local bus service

* Preserve the Floribraska exit

* The overall goal is to have FDOT work a plan that is enjoined with mass transit, complete streets and reduce the carbon footprint.

For more info:

http://www.planhillsborough.or...

#blvdTampa presentation by Josh Frank at the Tampa Heights Civic Association

Heights Mobility Study

http://heightsmobility.com

For more information about public hearings or meetings about TampaBayNext

http://www.tampabaynext.com