Hillsborough County Greenlights $500 Million I-4 Express Lane Expansion
Key Takeaways
- The project start was accelerated from 2037 to 2028 to address traffic congestion sooner.
- Dynamic tolling will adjust in real time, and SunPass or E-Pass can be used for payment.
- Governor DeSantis announced a 100-space truck parking facility in Polk County as part of the initiative.
The Hillsborough County Transportation Planning Organization has approved the construction of new express lanes along a 17-mile stretch of Interstate 4 in Florida, Fox 13 News reported. The project will run from Interstate 75 to County Line Road and is estimated to cost $500 million.
Originally slated to begin in 2037, the project has been pushed up nearly a decade, with construction now expected to start in 2028, according to WUSF. The express lanes aim to reduce congestion by separating local traffic from through-traffic, improving travel times for commuters.
Tolls on the express lanes will use dynamic pricing, adjusted in real time based on traffic flows, Fox 13 News reported. Drivers can pay with SunPass or E-Pass, making the lanes more convenient for daily commuters.
Public Feedback and Additional Infrastructure
Two members of the 11-person planning board voted against the project, arguing that the county should prioritize mass transit solutions, according to Fox 13 News.
In his announcement to accelerate construction plans, Florida Gov. Ron Desantis also unveiled plans to construct a 100-space truck parking facility in Polk County, intended to further alleviate traffic congestion along I-4, WUSF reported.
Both projects are part of the governor’s “Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative,” designed to enhance mobility and improve roadways across the state, according to WUSF.
Sources: Fox 13 News, WUSF