The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has just begun a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study to consider proposed improvements on Interstate 75 (I-75) (State Road 93A) in Manatee and Hillsborough Counties. A map detailing the limits of the project is shown below. This project (shaded purple on the map) extends approximately 25.0 miles from Moccasin Wallow Road to south of US 301. This portion of I-75 travels through, or in the vicinity of many communities which include Brandon, Gibsonton, Progress Village, Riverview, Ruskin, and Sun City Center. The predominant land use along the corridor is agricultural with urbanized areas around the Sun City Center/ Ruskin area.

Study Purpose and Need
The purpose for this project is to provide a higher capacity and a safer facility to better meet the future transportation demand in these rapidly developing areas of Manatee and Hillsborough Counties. I-75 is part of the Florida Intrastate Highway System (FIHS) and the Strategic Intermodal System (SIS). Preserving the operational integrity and regional functionality of I-75 is critical to mobility in this region. Future traffic demand along this stretch of I-75 is anticipated to double by the year 2025. This anticipated traffic growth and high levels of congestion create a need to analyze the corridor for necessary improvements to ensure it continues to operate efficiently and safely. This corridor is also designated as an emergency evacuation route.

Proposed Improvements
This PD&E study is being conducted by the FDOT to improve the operational capacity of I-75; currently a 6-lane limited access facility. Proposed Build alternative improvements could include addition of travel lanes and / or Special Use Lanes (SUL) in each direction and interchange enhancements. SUL’s may include several options for maximizing the corridor’s capacity, such as High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, transit ways or access/service roads. The PD&E study will also consider the No-Build Alternative. The appropriate improvement to be employed will be evaluated and determined in the Project Development phase.

Move your mouse cursor over each interchange to view an aerial photo.