The I-75 PD&E study process provided many opportunities for the public to comment on the proposed improvements, including public meetings, small group meetings, and this project website (www.fdottampabay.com).

2nd Public Hearing (January 27, 2022)

The Project Development & Environment Study process provides opportunities for the public to view information about the project and to comment on the proposed improvements. Public involvement activities will continue throughout the duration of the project. Project information and documents are uploaded to the project website for review when they become available. A public hearing was scheduled and took place on January 27, 2022 and was offered in person with an option to attend virtually.

In-person Public Hearing Location

Hilton Garden Inn
4328 Garden Vista Drive
Riverview, FL 33578
Date: January 27, 2022
Time: 5:30pm – 7:30 pm
Formal Portion: 6:30 pm

Virtual Public Hearing Session Registration

Citizens who chose to attend the virtual hearing session did so through a computer, tablet or smartphone via GoTo Webinar. Virtual attendees registered online.

Project Documents Viewing Locations

Documents were put on display starting on January 6^th through February 11^th at the following locations:

Ruskin Branch Library
26 Dickman Drive SE,
Ruskin, FL 33570
(813) 273-3652
Monday-Saturday: 10am-6pm
Sunday: Closed

Brandon Branch Library
619 Vonderburg Drive
Brandon, FL 33511
(813) 273-3652
Monday-Thursday: 10am-9pm
Friday-Saturday: 10am-6pm
Sunday: 12:30pm-5pm

FDOT District 7 Office
11201 N McKinley Drive
Tampa, FL 33612
(800) 226-7220
(813) 975-6000
Monday-Friday: 8am-5pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

1st Public Hearing (May 2010)

The I-75-PD&E Studies Public Hearing was held on May 6, 2010 at the Florida State Fairgrounds. A project newsletter was distributed to announce the hearing to individuals on the project mailing list. The hearing commenced at 5:00 p.m. with an informal, open-house format consisting of project displays, a project website station, and a brief video on continual loop. There were also stations where the public could gain information on the FDOT right-of-way and property acquisition process, the FDOT 511 hotline, and the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA). A court reporter was also present for the duration of the meeting to record public comments.

Approximately 42 citizens attended the public hearing. No elected officials were in attendance. At 6:00 p.m. a formal presentation was given followed by public oral comments which ended at approximately 6:21 p.m. Four citizens completed speaker cards and gave their official comments. The public hearing transcript is available for public viewing. After the public comment period, the open house resumed until 7:00 p.m. A total of 20 written comment forms were received prior to, during and after the public hearing. The general comments on the comment forms showed concern with: noise, connectivity to transit, against the use of making I-75 a toll facility, request for documents, and general support of the projects and its special use lanes.

Alternatives Public Workshop

Two Alternatives Public Workshops were held on June 15, 2009 and June 17, 2009. A project newsletter was distributed to announce the workshops to nearby landowners and individuals on the project mailing list. The workshops commenced at approximately 5:00 p.m. with an open-house format consisting of an audio/visual presentation that was played on a continuous loop, along with exhibits, concept plans and a project brochure. There were also stations where the public could gain information on the FDOT right-of-way and property acquisition process, the FDOT 511 hotline, and the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA).

Approximately 38 citizens attended the first workshop and approximately 47 citizens attended the second workshop. The workshops were an informal format with no formal presentation or speech. A total of 32 comments were received before, during and within the 10 day comment period of the workshops. Several citizens’ comments were in regards to which Alternative they preferred over the other. Other comments were in regards to noise barriers and cost/funding of the projects. FDOT and representatives were questioned by the public about building a new interchange along I-75 within the southern study area.

Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)

Throughout the course of these PD&E studies, the FDOT met with the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), including the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) and the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), to keep members informed of the progress of both the Southern and Northern studies.

The following is a list of dates and a brief description of items presented at these meetings:

• July 15, 2009 – Project presented to the Hillsborough County MPO – CAC Board to discuss the I-75 PD&E study and proposed improvements. Members were shown a condensed version of the I-75 alternatives public workshop PowerPoint presentation.
• July 20, 2009 – Project presented to the Hillsborough County MPO – TAC Board to discuss the I-75 PD&E study and proposed improvements. Members were shown a condensed version of the I-75 alternatives public workshop PowerPoint presentation.
• August 4, 2009 – Project presented to the Hillsborough County MPO Board to discuss the I-75 PD&E study and proposed improvements. Members were shown a condensed version of the I-75 alternatives public workshop PowerPoint presentation.
• May 12, 2010 – Project presented to the Hillsborough County MPO – CAC Board to present the recommended alternative shown at the public hearing. Members were shown a condensed version of the I-75 public hearing PowerPoint presentation.
• May 17, 2010 – Project presented to the Hillsborough County MPO – TAC Board to present the recommended alternative shown at the public hearing. Members were shown a condensed version of the I-75 public hearing PowerPoint presentation.
• June 1, 2010 – Project presented to the Hillsborough County MPO Board to present the recommended alternative shown at the public hearing. Members were shown a condensed version of the I-75 public hearing PowerPoint presentation.

Sarasota County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)

• April 16, 2010 – Project staff presented to the Sarasota/Manatee MPO staff to discuss the I-75 PD&E study and proposed improvements. Members were shown a condensed version of the I-75 Alternatives Public Workshop PowerPoint presentation.

Other Agency & Local Coordination Meetings

The FDOT has coordinated with numerous federal and local agencies throughout the study process.

The following is a list of these coordination efforts:

• Southwest Florida Water Management District
• National Marine Fisheries
• US Fish and Wildlife Services
• Federal Highway Administration
• Hillsborough County Parks Department
• Hillsborough County Department of Public Works
• Hillsborough County Real Estate Department
• Greater Tampa Association of Realtors
• Newland Communities
• SouthShore Roundtable
• Little Manatee South Plan
• Hillsborough County Public Schools