• Completed Study

Project Details

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District Seven conducted a Project Development & Environment (PD&E) Study for I-4 in Hillsborough County and Polk County. The study evaluated I-4 from east of 50th Street to the Polk Parkway (SR 570).

I-4 is a major east-west interstate that provides an important connection to the regional and statewide transportation network (such as I-275, I-75, and the Polk Parkway) linking the Tampa Bay region to the remainder of the state and nation. I-4 is a Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) highway. The SIS is the state’s network of high priority facilities. The 22.1 miles of express toll lanes on I-4 from east of 50th Street to the Polk Parkway in Hillsborough County and Polk County, are critical in order to maintain and improve access to major transportation facilities, as well as enhance mobility within the Tampa Bay area. The FDOT has designated I-4 eastbound from Tampa as one of seven one-way evacuation routes in Florida. The need for interstate system improvements within Tampa Bay has been extensively documented in numerous studies, such as the Tampa Interstate Study (TIS), several PD&E studies, and the TBX Master Plan.

This study includes the Recommended Build Alternative of express toll lanes but also a do nothing, or No-Build Alternative. As part of the Recommended Build Alternative, the express toll lanes on I-4:

  • Reduces congestion on the existing lanes.
  • Provides a choice to the user to take a tolled option or utilize the existing lanes.
  • Provides reliable travel times.
  • Are consistent with local and regional transportation plans.

Alternatives Being Considered

No-Build Alternative
The No-Build Alternative assumes that no improvements except routine maintenance would be made to I-4 within the project limits. The advantages of the No-Build Alternative include no new costs for design and construction, no effects to existing land uses and natural resources, and no disruption to the public during construction. However, the disadvantages of the No-Build Alternative are the project’s purpose and need would not be met and the project would result in increased congestion and user cost. Additionally, the No-Build Alternative is not consistent with local plans. However, this alternative will remain a viable alternative throughout the PD&E Study process.

Preferred Build Alternative
The Preferred Build Alternative consists of providing express toll lanes adjacent to the existing non-tolled travel lanes on I-4. The proposed improvements would maintain the same three general use (non-tolled) lanes and include two buffer separated express toll lanes in each direction of I-4 from east of 50th Street to the Polk Parkway.

The Preferred Build Alternative includes widening I-4 to accommodate four express toll lanes adjacent to the non-tolled travel lanes on I-4.

Preferred Build Alternative

Preferred Build Alternative

The Preferred Build Alternative typical sections predominantly allow for two 12-foot ELs, barrier separation, and three 12-foot general use lanes (GUL) in each direction. An auxiliary lane on I-4 is also allowed for from east of 50th Street to Hillsborough Avenue, and from Branch Forbes Road to West of Alexander Street. In order to minimize environmental impacts due to right of way (ROW) constraints, from West of Alexander Street to County Line Road a typical section with two 11-foot express lanes and a 3-foot buffer is planned instead of 12-foot express lanes and a 4-foot buffer.

Preferred Build Alternative - With Frontage Roads

Preferred Build Alternative – With Frontage Roads

However, there are some areas where maintaining a 44-foot minimum transit envelope with Express Lanes cannot be accommodated without the acquisition of additional right of way. In order to minimize this potential right of way impact, elevating the transit corridor in order to accommodate both modes of transportation is proposed. For instance, in the Plant City area where there are service roads, the transit corridor would be reduced to 14 feet. This will allow for a pier to be placed in the center for an elevated transit corridor as depicted.

Contact Information
For more information or to comment, please contact:

Environmental Management Office
Florida Department of Transportation, District Seven
11201 N. McKinley Drive
M.S. 7-500
Tampa, FL 33612-6456

Phone: (813) 975-6000
Toll Free: (800) 226-7220

Comuniquese Con Nosotros
Si usted tiene preguntas o comentarios, o si simplemente desea más información sobre este proyecto, favor ponerse en contacto con el señor Manuel Flores, al teléfono (813) 975-4248 o al correo electrónico manuel.flores@dot.state.fl.us