Q: What types of improvements are being considered?

A: The studies will consider both interim and ultimate improvements. Interim improvements could include adding travel lanes to the existing highway as well as interchange improvements. The ultimate improvements could include adding Special-Use Lanes (SUL’s) such as express lanes to serve regional travelers, lanes for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) or other transit modes, High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes or High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes. Additional improvements could include interchange modifications or reconfiguration. The improvements to be recommended will be based on engineering and environmental analyses that are currently underway.

Q: How far into the future will the studies consider?

A: Along with the PD&E studies that will consider the need for improvements through year 2035, FDOT will prepare a “vision” for the I-75 corridor. This vision will take a long-range view (as much as 50 years into the future), to help establish goals for the corridor consistent with FDOT’s core mission of providing safe and efficient movement of people and goods. A Vision Workshop was held on February 9, 2009. Nearly 20 local groups were represented. Please click here to find out more information regarding the Vision Workshop.

Q: What are the FIHS and SIS?

A: The Florida Intrastate Highway System (FIHS) is a statewide highway network for high-speed and high-volume traffic movement. The Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) is a statewide network of high-priority transportation facilities including highways, airports, seaports, railroads, and bus stations.

Q: What Happens Next?

A: The study team has gathered information on various social and environmental resources in the project study area. The team has collected engineering data and created design alternatives to document the recommended improvements to I-75. The alternative design concepts were developed and presented at the alternatives public workshops. The results of this analysis will be summarized in project reports that will be available at the public hearing.

Q: What Alternatives were considered and presented at the Alternatives Public Workshops?

A: The Alternatives under consideration includes the widening or reconstruction of the existing highway towards the inside thereby moving a potential transit envelope to the outside. This alternative includes 2 Special Use Lanes (SUL), such as express lanes to serve regional travelers, and 3 General Use Lanes (GUL) which are separated by a 6-ft buffer in each direction. It also includes a median barrier separating northbound and southbound traffic. By widening to the inside, three lanes and the outside shoulder in each direction would be reused in the proposed typical along the majority of the approximately 25 mile project, resulting in a significant construction and right-f-way cost savings. Interchange modifications and reconfigurations at SR 674, Big Bend Road and Gibsonton Drive are also under consideration. Please click here to see materials that were on display at the workshops.

Q: How Do I Become Involved?

A: Your questions, comments and participation are very important to us and to the decision making process! Information about these projects will be sent to those who are on the mailing list. The mailing list includes: property owners within 500 feet of the project, civic groups in the study area, elected officials, and government and regulatory agencies. To be placed on the mailing list, contact the FDOT District Seven Project Manager, Manuel Santos. Public meetings are also another way to be involved. All meeting dates, times, and locations are yet to be determined. Future newsletters, the project website (www.mytbi.com and click on “Future Projects“ the “I-75 PD&E Studies”) and advertisements in local newspapers will announce public meetings.