HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Changes to the Selmon Expressway may make it easier on your morning commute.

What You Need To Know

  • The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) just opened new slip ramps from the Selmon Expressway the reversible express lanes

  • One is located near I-75 and the other is downtown near IKEA

  • The idea is to help commuters driving westbound on the Selmon from south Hillsborough to downtown Tampa

The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) just opened new slip ramps that make getting to the reversible express lanes on the upper deck easier.

The idea is to help commuters driving westbound on the Selmon from south Hillsborough to downtown Tampa.

“It gives us the ability to balance traffic with the upper deck and the lower lanes,” said THEA CEO Gregory Slater in an interview.

THEA opened the two new slip ramps last week. One is located near I-75 and the other is downtown near IKEA. The ramps are large merge lanes between the mainline of the Selmon Expressway and the upper deck express lanes.

The new ramps to the express lanes will help drivers avoid traffic congestion at Falkenburg Rd, US 301 and the I-4 Connector. They’re also expected to reduce cut-through traffic in neighborhoods.

Officials say one goal is to help deal with the population growth in south Hillsborough, where many folks commute to Tampa from.

“We encourage people to try it and see if it works for you,” Slater said. “It’s a convenient way to get on that upper deck that in many ways, has the best view in Tampa. And then you can jump on the main line Expressway.”

Slater also says the tolls are staying the same with the change. It’s the same cost to travel on both the upper and lower decks of the Selmon Expressway.