South Selmon Capacity Project
The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) will increase the capacity of the existing Lee Roy Selmon Expressway to 6-lanes (one lane in each direction) to help meet anticipated growth. The South Selmon Capacity Project area will extend 4.5 miles from the eastern end of the Selmon Extension to the six-lane section near the overpass at Florida Avenue in Downtown Tampa.
The South Selmon Capacity Project will address current and future congestion challenges, enhance roadway safety and help keep cut-through traffic off Bayshore Boulevard and other neighborhood roads.
Tampa Bay is Growing
Living in Tampa Bay, you’ve likely noticed tremendous growth around you. It’s an exciting time for our region, and we are fortunate to live, work, and play in this place we call home.
However, while living in a flourishing community has many positives, growth brings challenges, one of which is congestion on our roadways. For example, the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway has seen an over 80% increase in traffic over the last decade. And with hundreds of thousands of new residents expected to move to the Tampa Bay region over the coming years, our mobility challenges will only continue to grow.
The South Selmon Capacity Project will address current and future congestion challenges, augment roadway safety, and help keep cut-through traffic off Bayshore Boulevard and other neighborhood roads.
Project Overview
THEA will increase the capacity of the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway by one lane, in each direction, over an approximate 4.5-mile span extending from the eastern end of the Selmon Extension to the six-lane section near the overpass at Florida Avenue in Downtown Tampa.
As part of the planning process, THEA conducted a noise study and discovered that, according to Federal guidelines, noise walls were not warranted. However, because THEA is committed to being a good neighbor, we will build sound walls along the enhanced route.
THEA’s design-build RFP offers the contractor a $5 million bonus to install the walls before major construction begins. Also, upon completion, THEA will reimagine and activate the Bay-to-Bay/MacDill underpass with a new dog park and community gathering spaces.