New Releases

Selmon Expressway Reversible Express Lanes (REL) - Closure at Downtown Entrance

Tampa, May 3, 2023 - On May 3, 2023, the Selmon Expressway's Reversible Express Lanes (REL) gates at the Downtown Entrance will be closed at 7:00 PM EST. Local Lane users will be able to access the REL at 34th Street. The REL will resume normal operations on May 4, 2023, at 5:00 AM EST.

Motorists are advised that the hours of operation on the Reversible Express Lanes are subject to change without notice for construction/maintenance work. The staff and crews of the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority appreciate your patience during this time.

For more information, call 813.272.6740 or email [email protected].

THEA Releases Gandy Boulevard Traffic Study Data

Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority Study indicates significant safety benefits and traffic reductions along the South Tampa corridor since the opening of the Selmon Extension

Tampa, FL (April 26, 2023) – When the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) opened the Selmon Extension in 2021, the 1.9-mile toll lane located in the median of Gandy Boulevard was intended to provide a direct connection for regional travelers who had been utilizing the local lanes of Gandy Boulevard to reach destinations beyond the South Tampa Corridor. The regional travelers’ commute, combined with the local business travelers, caused delays and congestion for residents and shoppers living in the adjacent neighborhoods. The Extension offered a safer and more efficient route, with preliminary data showing that the opening would significantly reduce intersection traffic signal wait times at Westshore Boulevard, Manhattan Boulevard, Lois Avenue, and Dale Mabry Highway to move traffic more efficiently.

DoMA Home Furnishings, General Manager Rosanna Davis said, “Gandy Blvd is a great location for a furniture store like DoMA. The addition of the Westshore Marina District and updated shopping plazas have boosted the popularity of this part of town. The Selmon Extension has allowed for the additional traffic to move easily throughout the corridor or to bypass it quickly. We have seen a marked difference in traffic flow since the opening of the extension. Not only is it easier for us to get to work, but our customers have remarked on how much easier it is to get to us.”

Davis’ observation appears to be spot on. Today, THEA released the findings of a Gandy Boulevard traffic study comparing traffic wait times, crashes, and speed ratios in the two years prior to the Selmon Extension’s opening to the operational years of the Extension in 2021 and 2022 (note- 2020 was excluded due to the COVID-19 pandemic). The scope of the traffic study was limited to the South Tampa segment of Gandy Boulevard at the Westshore Boulevard intersection to the Bayshore Boulevard intersection.

“When you are in the early planning and delivery of transportation projects, you work to communicate the benefits that were modeled using best transportation practices. This data indicates what the travelers along this route are experiencing, which are the safety and traffic benefits THEA outlined here, indicating that the Selmon Extension is doing exactly what we said it would do - and that is important to our entire team,” said Greg Slater, Executive Director and CEO, THEA.

The study indicates safety and traffic improvements along Gandy Boulevard, including the following key findings:

• 22% decrease in crashes along Gandy Boulevard from 2018 to 2022.
• Reduction in crashes between 22% to 42% for the top three crash types (rear end, angle, and sideswipe), and the associated economic benefit.
• Reduction in crashes between 7% to 36% at the four signalized intersections along Gandy Boulevard.
• Reductions between 12% to 64% in crashes related to Dark-Lighted, Dawn, and Dusk lighting conditions.
• Travel times were reduced significantly along Gandy Boulevard after the construction of The Selmon Extension
• The speeds are uniform and closer to the posted speed, thus creating safer conditions along Gandy Boulevard.

The traffic study was presented to THEA’s Board at its monthly meeting on Monday, April 24. THEA Board Chairman, Vincent Cassidy, added, “While we were concerned that during construction of the Selmon Extension, the businesses along Gandy would be impacted, our hope was post-construction businesses would benefit from less commuter traffic backing up the road, leaving the corridor available to those that want to shop Gandy. We aimed to deliver a safer and more connected route, and while our region has experienced tremendous growth, and more vehicles on our road, the data from this study proves we’ve accomplished the goal of a safer, more reliable driving experience. I am very proud of our team – nothing makes me happier than delivering on our promises.”

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ABOUT THEA

The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) is a user-financed public agency led by a Board of local citizens. The dynamic transportation agency owns, manages, and operates the Selmon Expressway, Meridian Avenue, Brandon Parkway, and the Selmon Greenway. With over 200,000 daily expressway commuters and thousands of pedestrians utilizing THEA's urban trail networks, the agency is focused on serving and investing in the community to transform and excel with transportation options that enhance the quality of life. Using toll revenues and bonds, all tolls collected by THEA are reinvested back into projects in Hillsborough County.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TampaHillsboroughExpresswayAuthority/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaselmon/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/theaselmon/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/67132372/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNFl4QVHuqyXNyjcEFTh17Q

Tampa, FL (April 10, 2023) - On April 10, 2023, the Selmon Expressway's Reversible Express Lanes (REL) will be closed from 7:00 PM EST until 5:00 AM EST. The REL is also scheduled to be closed on April 12, 2023, from 7:00 PM EST until 5:00 AM EST, where normal hours of operation will resume.

Motorists are advised that the hours of operation on the Reversible Express Lanes are subject to change without notice for construction/maintenance work.

For more information, call 813.272.6740 or email [email protected]

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Tampa, Fla. (April 3, 2023) – The Florida Department of Transportation's contractor, Traffic Control Devices, Inc., is making safety improvements to the intersection of US 41 (21st Street/22nd Street) at Selmon Expressway in Tampa. Lane closures will happen on Monday, April 3, through Thursday, April 6, nights from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Improvements include:

• installation of new traffic signals
• installation of mid-block pedestrian crosswalks with raised traffic
• separators and pedestrian refuges
• adding signage and necessary pavement markings

Construction activities are taking place during daytime and nighttime hours. Work requiring lane closures will occur at night from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Access to ramps, sidewalks, and driveways is to be maintained. Please use caution when traveling through the work zone and remain alert or pedestrians and construction workers.

This project is expected to finish in fall 2023. For more information, call 813.272.6740 or email [email protected]

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Tampa, Fla. (January 27, 2023) – A temporary detour will be in place at Falkenburg Road to prevent entry on the Lee Roy Selmon. Drivers will be diverted to the 301 entrance and exit ramps. In addition, there will be inside lane closures in both directions for traffic heading to and from I-75. Detours will begin on January 29, 2023, and occur every night through February 9, 2023.

The staff and crews of the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority appreciate everyone's patience during this time. On an ongoing basis, day and nighttime lane closures will occur throughout this project. For more information, learn more about this project at https://www.tampa-xway.com/rel-slip-ramp-construction/, call 813.272.6740 or email [email protected]‐xway.com.

January 4, 2023 (Tampa, Fla.) – The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) is launching a public survey to help determine features that should be included in the design plan for green space underneath the Selmon Expressway at Bay to Bay Boulevard and MacDill Avenue. A few years back, THEA worked with neighborhood associations to activate the space with dog park. However, the agency realized that this area could accommodate more than just a dog park.

Since the South Selmon Capacity Project will take several years, THEA – with the community’s help – is able to design a more robust area and to make it a true community gathering space.

The survey offers voting options for "Flexible Space" and the "Active Space." Flexible spaces are for community-organized events and don't have permanent physical features. For example, a flexible space could support farmer's markets, group fitness classes, food truck events, concerts, and more. In contrast, an active space will be dedicated to physical activity, such as a ball court or a playground. This survey ensures that our community and neighbors are a part of the design process so that we can create a space that welcomes and connects our Tampa residents.

Voting opens today, January 4, 2023, and will close on January 27, 2023, at 11:59 PM. The voting information will be shared with the design-build firm so they can work to incorporate the public's wishes into the design before the commencement of construction of the South Selmon Capacity Project. The public can vote by visiting www.southselmoncapacity.com/survey/ and following the page prompts. 

In addition to receiving information on the community space options, THEA will construct sound walls along the entire route. Construction to increase the capacity of the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway by one lane in each direction is expected to begin in 2024. The reimagined green space at the Bay to Bay underpass will be completed at the end of the capacity project in 2028.