The I-75 PD&E study was conducted by the FDOT in conjunction with Hillsborough and Manatee Counties and the FHWA. The study documented information necessary for the FDOT and FHWA to reach a decision on the type, design and location of improvements to I-75.

Based on long-range planning, projected population, employment growth and projected traffic volumes, the Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the Sarasota/Manatee MPO have made this project a priority in Hillsborough County and Manatee County. Portions of the proposed project are included in the Hillsborough County MPOs Year 2035 Cost Affordable Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), as an unfunded six/eight–lane facility with four-special purpose lanes. MPO travel demand estimates indicate that in 2035, daily traffic volumes will double on I-75 due to the number of approved new developments including large residential communities and the South Bend Mall which is planned for the southwest quadrant of I-75 and Big Bend Road.

This portion of I-75 was evaluated in the Programming Screen of the Efficient Transportation Decision Making (ETDM) process as Project # 8002 in 2007. During preliminary planning for this project through the FDOT’s ETDM screening process, agency comments were received. As a result the Federal Highway Administration has determined that this project qualifies as a Type 2 Categorical Exclusion.

PREFERRED TYPICAL SECTIONS

The Preferred Alternative for the southern study (shown below) contains three 12-foot General Use Lanes (GULs) in each direction on the outside and two Special Use Lanes (SULs) in each direction on the inside. More information regarding GULs and the SULs can be found on the next page. The GULs and the SULs are separated by a 6-foot buffer in each direction. For most of the corridor, the border width would be the same as the existing and equal to or greater than the standard 94-foot border. Most of this widening will be done to the inside of the existing lanes.

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