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The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is undertaking a design change re-evaluation to study grade separation improvements at US 41/SR 45/South 50^th Street from South of US41B/SR 45/SR 676/Causeway Boulevard to North of Causeway Boulevard in Hillsborough County. The project begins just south of the CSX Railroad Crossing and extends to the north of Causeway Boulevard, a distance of approximately 1.5 miles. This project is a re-evaluation of the Environmental Assessment (EA) with a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) previously approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in 1994. This re-evaluation will consider a full range of alternatives for improving mobility and safety along US 41, including a grade separation of US 41 and the CSX railroad crossing south of the intersection. This re-evaluation will include a thorough review of natural and social environmental impacts in the study area. The project team will evaluate these effects and compare the effects of each alternative. This project will be using the Statewide Acceleration Transformation (SWAT) process to facilitate key engagement efforts that will ensure timely development of both the recommended alternative and design-phase plans.

US 41 and Causeway Boulevard are vital arterial highways which serve the City of Tampa located in Hillsborough County. The proposed improvements have been identified in the Hillsborough County Transportation Planning Organization’s adopted 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan under the Hillsborough County Freight Hot Spots. US 41 has also been identified by the MPO as a Regional Freight Mobility Corridor from I-4 to Manatee County Line and is a priority project for the National Highway Freight Program.