TAMPA, Fla. — As the I-275 widening project through downtown Tampa continues into the new year, several interstate underpasses are getting cleaned up and enhanced for pedestrian safety.

The Florida Department of Transportation has started work on underpasses at Hillsborough Avenue,  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Chelsea Street, Lake Avenue, Osbourne Avenue and Floribraska Avenue.

What You Need To Know

  • I-275 widening project underway near downtown Tampa

  • Work taking place on multiple underpasses north of downtown 

  • Improvements to include wider sidewalks and better lighting

The enhancements include wider sidewalks and bright underdeck lighting.

“It’ll be more safer for me and my family, and I like that," said Christie Aponte, a regular pedestrian on Hillsborough Avenue.

Aponte said there are challenges and safety concerns for her along one of Tampa’s most dangerous stretches of road for pedestrians.

“The traffic. There’s a lot of homeless people," she said. "When it’s dark time it’s like reckless and there’s a lot of people around and you can’t see a lot and the sidewalks are dirty.”

Construction crews are also moving forward on the interstate widening project in the new year.

Crews are now building temporary interstate ramps at Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard and Hillsborough Avenue. 

Those ramps will help maintain interstate traffic flow as the widening project moves forward.