Interstate 4/Crosstown Expressway Connector

governments are also playing significant roles in the project’s progression process.

History

The I-4/Crosstown Connector was conceived in the late 1990s as a high-speed route between South Tampa and Orlando, as well as from Lutz to Brandon. As truck traffic increased through Ybor City the road’s purpose became more clear: to divert hazardous cargo from Ybor’s historic district.

Highway Features

To minimize dangerous weaving patterns and major bottlenecks, traffic utilizing the I-4/Crosstown Connector between I-4 and eastbound Selmon-Crosstown Expressway to/from Brandon will be physically separated from traffic utilizing the connector to get to/from Downtown Tampa via I-4 westbound.Traffic will be able to navigate the I-4/Crosstown Connector as follows:

*Eastbound I-4 traffic (including traffic coming from both directions of I-275) will be able to connect to Brandon via Selmon Expressway eastbound. Access to 50th St will be provided.
*Westbound I-4 traffic from Lakeland and Orlando will be able to connect to Downtown Tampa via Selmon Expressway westbound. Access to 22nd/21st/20th Streets will be provided.
*Eastbound Selmon Expressway traffic from Downtown Tampa and South Tampa will be able to connect to eastbound I-4 to Lakeland and Orlando.
*Westbound Selmon Expressway traffic from Brandon will be able to connect to westbound I-4 and both directions of I-275 to St. Petersburg and Temple Terrace. Access to 22nd/21st/20th Streets will continue to be available via an extended exit ramp.
*Truck only lanes will safely channel truck cargo traffic to and from the Port of Tampa via 20th and 22nd Streets.
*No access will be provided to and from the connector via the Reversible Express Lanes of the Selmon Expressway. Selmon Expressway commuters will have to use the ground level, local lanes to access I-4.
*Overhead toll gantries will eliminate the need for toll plazas, as FL Turnpike is making such gantries standard for all new toll facilities. SunPass (and possibly Toll-by-Plate) will be utilized.

Project Progress

At this time, the design phase of the project is nearly complete, with final plans to be presented by 2008. Necessary right-of-way is also being acquired at this time, with completion expected sometime in 2008. In addition, funding for the $600 million project has been secured as of October 2007. A contractor would be selected in the near future and construction of the connector highway should commence somewhere around 2009 or 2010, with completion predicted around 2014 or 2015. The highway will be tolled, with overhead gantries spanning the elevated structures.

References and External Links

* [http://www.i4.org/urs/content/Design/I4-CrosstownConnector/index.asp I-4/Crosstown Connector Project Page @ Tampa Bay Interstates] – Includes comprehensive project information, up-to-date project timetable, and a virtual drive-through video of the completed project.
* [http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/oct/16/me-3-agencies-reach-deal-to-link-i-4-expressway/?news-metro]