Tampa’s Westshore Interchange is where economic, employment and entertainment activities converge, leading to traffic congestion that impedes local and regional mobility.
Tampa's Westshore Interchange
Located on the western edge of Tampa, the Westshore district is an approximate 10 square mile business district that provides access to Bay Area residential neighborhoods, Tampa International Airport, three major interstates, and two HART transit centers.
Westshore Area Statistics
$
0
Billion
Economic Impact
0
Employed
0
Million
TIA Passengers
0
Residents
0
Businesses
0
Restaurants
0
Hotels
Sources: Westshore Alliance. www.choosewestshore.com/about-westshore/quick-facts/
Tampa International Airport: www.tampaairport.com/facts-statistics-financials
To enable continued economic grow and stability, improvements to Tampa’s Westshore Interchange (I-275/ SR 60) are necessary to provide for the existing and projected traffic demand. Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise opened express lanes on the Veterans Expressway, which will tie into express lanes to be constructed as part of Tampa’s Westshore Interchange project.
Reconnecting Communities
This interchange improvement project also will reconnect roads and neighborhoods.
We’re looking for opportunities to facilitate movement both through and within Westshore. FDOT is also reviewing the existing and planned bicycle and pedestrian facilities to improve connections to the Courtney Campbell Causeway Trail from the Westshore area.
Project Status
PUBLIC HEARING:
Held February 2020
PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE:
Express Lanes
Tampa’s Westshore Interchange, the Westshore to Downtown Tampa Corridor, and the Downtown Tampa Interchange projects are all part of a long-standing plan to improve and modernize Tampa’s interstate system, originally called the Tampa Interstate Study (TIS). The TIS required the most rigorous evaluation process in transportation planning – an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). FDOT began theTampa Interstate Study (TIS) Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) in 2017, working with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
FDOT has been engaging with the community to receive input on alternative design concepts for the SEIS and held a public meeting in October 2017 to review the concepts and get community input. FDOT also held a second public workshop in May 2019 to further review proposed alternative options. A public hearing was held in February 2020, and FHWA approved the SEIS in September 2020.
The reconstruction of Tampa’s Westshore Interchange has been a regional priority to improve mobility. On October 24, 2019, Governor DeSantis announced $1.4 Billion to reconstruct the Tampa’s Westshore Interchange (I-275/ SR 60). This is the largest transportation project to be funded in FDOT District 7’s history and is part of the Tampa Bay Next program. For the press release from the Governor’s office, click here.
To view the latest Fact Sheet on the SEIS Locally Preferred Alternative, which includes Westshore Area Interchange, click here.
To view concept plans for the Westshore Interchange, please click here.
For more information on the SEIS and public hearing, click here.
