TAMPA, Fla. — It was another year of major road construction, as the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) continues to keep up with population growth in the Sunshine State.
Looking ahead to next year, several projects are set to open, including the long-awaited Gateway Expressway in Pinellas County.
The nearly $600 million Gateway Expressway will create two new 4-lane elevated tolled roadways. One will go over 118th Ave N, directly connecting US 19 and I-275 for the first time. The second will go over Roosevelt Blvd, connecting the Bayside Bridge to I-275.
The project also includes tolled express lanes on I-275 from south of Gandy Blvd to north of 4th St N. There will be one new lane in each direction to help ease congestion in the area.
FDOT officials say the Gateway Expressway is expected to open in the spring of 2024. The project began in August of 2017.
In Pasco County, improvements to State Roads 52 and 54 continue as population growth continues there.
New lanes on SR 54 between Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills opened in the fall to help with traffic flow from Morris Bridge Road to Curley Road.
On SR 52, the road is being widened to six lanes between the Suncoast Pkwy and US 41. The road is also being widened east of I-75 to Fort King Rd. Those projects are expected to be done in early 2024, according to FDOT, which will help with rush hour traffic in those areas.
In Citrus County, the major construction on US 19 is expected to finish in spring of 2024. The highway is being widened from Homosassa Springs to Crystal River. The road will go from four lanes to six lanes between Jump Court and Fort Island Trail.
Construction on the new Howard Frankland Bridge continues next year as well. FDOT officials have previously said it’s possible drivers may be using the new span in late 2024 but the project is still slated to be complete in 2025.
For more information on FDOT projects in your area, please visit https://www.fdottampabay.com/