Tampa, Fla. (June 22, 2022) – The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) invites the public to attend a Public Meeting for the Railroad Track Removal Project. The purpose of this project is to create a more walkable downtown experience that would also benefit mobility and promote ease of travel. When THEA reconstructed Meridian Avenue in 2004, the agency promised the community that once the Ardent Mills Flour Mill located in downtown is demolished, the railroad tracks that serviced the mill would be removed to complete the grid network system by connecting Whiting Street to Meridian Avenue.

With the demolition of the Ardent Mills Flour Mill coming soon, THEA is following through on that commitment and removing the railroad tracks that used to service the mill. While THEA leased the tracks to Ardent Mills while the mill was still active, these tracks are owned by THEA and sit on THEA's property. Removing the tracks is the first step in helping the City of Tampa create a street grid system. Once removed, THEA will add a commemorative plaque along the Selmon Greenway to recognize the history of the property.

The Railroad Track Removal Public Meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. The meeting will allow attendees to have one-on-one discussions with study team members at information stations and view a pre-recorded presentation. The Public Meeting will include a narrated portion that will give interested persons an opportunity to hear the background and purpose of the project and the plan for removal.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend the Public Meeting at THEA’s Headquarters, 1104 E. Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602. There will be an open house from 5:30 - 6:00 pm, where attendees may review project displays and documents, speak with project team members, and make public comments. The presentation will start at 6:00 pm.

RAILROAD TRACK REMOVAL PUBLIC MEETING

Where: THEA Headquarters, 1104 E. Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602

When: June 29, 2022

Open House: 5:30 pm, Presentation: 6:00 pm

For more information, visit the website at https://www.tampa-xway.com/railroad-track-removal/ or email [email protected]. 

Persons who require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Sue Chrzan by phone at (813) 272-6740 ext.124 or via email at [email protected] at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact us using the Florida Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1, 1-800-955-8771 (TYY) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice). Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. Persons wishing to express their concerns relative to THEA’s compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting Amy Lettelleir, THEA's General Counsel, by email at [email protected].

The in-person public meeting option is being provided following federal regulations and state statute 23 CFR §771.111 and Section 339.155, F.S. 

###

ABOUT THEA:

The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) is a public agency of the state, created by the Florida Legislature to provide local, user-financed transportation services that reinvest customer-based revenues back into the Tampa Bay community. THEA owns and operates the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, Brandon Parkway, Meridian Avenue, and the Selmon Greenway; designed and operates the world’s first reversible all-electronic toll road; and provides over 200,000 daily trips with safe, reliable, and financially sustainable transportation services. For more information on how THEA is moving transportation forward, visit www.tampa-xway.com.

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TampaHillsboroughExpresswayAuthority/

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/THEASelmon

Web: https://www.tampa-xway.com/