Tampa Toll Increase Coming July 1

That drive from Brandon to St. Pete is going to get a little pricier next week. Starting Monday, July 1 we'll see a Tampa toll increase on the Selmon Expressway.

The good news is the increase is not by much. But if you do that drive twice daily, you know these little jumps can add up over time. Fortunately those who use the Selmon on a daily basis can take advantage of that program that gives you a discount if you record 35 or more toll transactions in a month.

Channel 8 reports Selmon Expressway users will see tolls jump by a nickel starting Monday. Specifically the increase is on the East Mainline section of the highway. Right now you pay $2.39 if you don't have a SunPass device on your car. Starting Monday, it'll be $2.44. If you DO have one of those SunPass stickers or devices, it's $2.08. These are prices for normal 2 axle cars by the way.

By the way, there will be an overnight closure of the West Extension of the Selmon Expressway tonight (June 27, 2024) starting at 8pm. They're doing some bridge inspections over those new elevated lanes over Gandy Boulevard. They say you should only experience minor delays on the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority website. The stretch is scheduled to reopen tomorrow morning before 6am so it shouldn't affect the morning commute.

They also are going to be replacing damaged gates at the I-75 westbound entrance to the Reversible Express Lanes tomorrow (June 28) starting at 10am. They expect to have work completed by 1pm. That means the eastbound leg of the typical split operation will also be closed for worker safety.

According to Channel 8, the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority is defending the Tampa toll increase, saying "In the recent years of growing inflation and increased costs of operating and construction, THEA has chosen to continue to apply the minimum required growth."

Tampa may not have the tallest buildings in the country, but the city sure is growing. With many companies headquartered in the area and more people moving every day, the buildings are bound to keep popping up. Here are the tallest buildings in Tampa Bay

By the end of 2026, the Tampa and St. Pete skyline could look a lot different. With 5 new buildings under construction right now, the process has already begun to add to the growing Tampa skyline.

In downtown St. Pete, The Residences at 400 Central, a 46-story tower, is set to be finished in the first quarter of 2025 and will soon make it not only one of the tallest buildings in Tampa Bay but also Florida's West Coast. It will have luxury units, a sky lounge, office spaces, retail, and more. We won't be adding this building to the list until it is complete.

Up next, The Pendry Tampa is set to open its doors in 2026. This new tower will have 39 stories filled with 220 hotel rooms, and 207 condos, and have restaurants, cafes, and an ‘open-air pool + terrace’.

Another new addition to St. Pete is a 42-story condo building set to open its doors in late 2024. The Art House St. Pete is a luxury highrise with condos, a pool, a resident’s club, a dog park, a spa, and a fitness center from the developers of ONE and Saltaire in St. Petersburg.

Tampa also welcomed in the Tower 1 of the new Ritz Carlton Residences, Tampa earlier in 2024 with Tower 2 starting construction last year. The Rtiz Carlton Residences, Tampa, includes condos, villas, a tennis court, spa, pool, and restaurants.

Now, let's take a look at the buildings that are currently standing in Tampa Bay.

The 7th tallest building in Tampa, Rivergate Tower, stands 454 feet tall with 32 floors. It was built in 1988 and also goes by the name Nationsbank Plaza, NCNB Plaza, and 400 North Ashley Plaza.

Recently renovated in 2019, the Park Tower in Tampa was downtown Tampa's first high-rise office building and stands 460 feet tall making it the 6th tallest building in Tampa. It has 36 stories and has recently been recognized as a landmark since it was originally built in 1973.

The Element Tampa clocks in at 460 feet tall making it the the 5th tallest building in Tampa. It was built in 2009 and has 34 floors for residential condos.

The Suntrust Financial Center / Truist Building is the 4th tallest building in Tampa with a height of 525 feet tall. It cost a whopping $1.8 billion to develop and is ranked among the top 25 most expensive buildings in the U.S.

One Tampa City Center stands 537 feet tall making it the third tallest building in Tampa. It has 39 floors and was built in 1981.

Bank of America's FInancial Center (Tampa) comes in at 577 feet tall making it the 2nd tallest building in Tampa. It has 42 floors and was built in 1986.

100 North Tampa claims the #1 spot for the tallest buildings in Tampa coming in at 579 feet tall with 42 floors. Their lobby is currently being renovated with new conference rooms and a new fitness center.