A Big Change For Tampa’s “Malfunction Junction”
Ready to see some improvements to the 275/I-4 interchange? It’s famously known as “Malfunction Junction” to us locals. The Florida Department of Transportation wants to hear from you on a new plan that would hopefully improve things. There’s a meeting tonight to discuss options. You can attend in person or online.
To be there in person, head to the Ragan Park Community Center on Lake Avenue in Tampa. The meeting begins at 5:30pm. There is free parking or you can take the HART bus route 9. Or if you’d rather just watch from home, head to TampaBayNext.com.
So what’s their plan? This is from the FDOT:
“The previous concept included widening the existing flyover bridge from southbound I-275 to eastbound I-4 and relocating the exit to Ybor City from 21st and 22nd Streets to 14th and 15th Streets. The design change being proposed includes constructing a new two-lane flyover bridge to the inside of the interchange that drivers will use to access eastbound I-4. The existing one-lane flyover bridge is proposed to remain one lane, which drivers will use to access Ybor City via the relocated exit to 14th and 15th Streets. Additional proposed design changes include constructing an additional auxiliary lane along eastbound I-4 between I-275 and the exit to the Selmon Expressway and creating a two-lane exit to the Selmon Expressway. All proposed design changes are within the existing right-of-way. Final design is ongoing and construction activities are anticipated to begin in early 2023.”