Interstate 4/Crosstown Expressway Connector
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The Interstate 4/Crosstown Connector is a proposed limited-access toll road that is slated to connect the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway to Interstate 4 in Tampa, Florida. When completed, the highway will be able to safely filter hazardous cargo away from Ybor City and into the Port of Tampa. The connector project is being coordinated by a partnership between FDOT, Florida's Turnpike, and the Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority. The City of Tampa and Hillsborough County governments are also playing significant roles in the project’s progression process.
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[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
- WARNING! No access will be provided to and from the connector via the Reversible Express Lanes of the Selmon Expressway. Selmon Expressway commuters must use the ground level, local lanes to access I-4.
[edit] Project Progress
As of this time, the design phase of the project is nearly complete, with final plans to be presented by 2008. Necessary rght-of-way is also being acquired at this time, with completion expected sometime in 2008. Construction of the connector highway should commence somewhere around 2009 or 2010, with completion predicted around 2014 or 2015. It is unclear at this time, whether the highway will be designated as a freeway or a tolled thoroughfare.
[edit] References and External Links
I-4/Crosstown Connector Project Page @ Tampa Bay Interstates – Includes comprihensive project information, up-to-date project timetable, and a virtual drive-through video of the completed project.
