Selmon Expressway Gets $700M Boost With Smart Tech and New Lanes

Officials approved a massive upgrade to the Selmon Expressway. The six-year project will cost $752 million, with $700 million going straight to construction.

Cars pack the road twice as much now compared to 2020. "What it's evolved into is this vital artery in the city. The growth that we're seeing isn't just in those peak areas. It's in the middle of the day, we're seeing that volume growth," said Greg Slater, CEO of THEA, per Fox 13 News.

Workers will tackle the South Selmon stretch first. They'll add lanes, build a fresh bridge over the Hillsborough River, and put up walls to block noise. The work stretches to where Gandy Boulevard meets the road.

Changes hit downtown, too. A new path will link to Meridian Avenue at Whiting Street. The old ramp near Amalie Arena will come down. This makes a lot more sense for days when big events take over Amalie.

On the east side, from I-4 to I-75, each direction gets an extra lane. Studies will check how cars move between Causeway Boulevard and Big Bend Road on US 301.

Smart cameras will watch for trouble. When cars go the wrong way on ramps, the system springs into action. Lights flash warnings while alerts zip to traffic centers.

People walking near Brorein Street will be safer. Special cameras spot anyone in crosswalks and switch on bright warning signs for drivers above.

The city gets some perks too. A fresh park will pop up on 12th Street. The Meridian Health Trail grows longer, and Meridian Avenue gets spruced up.

Shovels hit dirt this year. The plan sets aside $52 million for behind-the-scenes work like planning and research.