Transportation Information Service
July 2002  ~  Vol. 6 No. 7

The purpose of the TIS Update is to inform, update, and educate members of the University North Transportation Initiative and the public on local mobility issues, projects and developments.
bulletConstruction to begin on I-4/I-275 Interchange Improvements this Fall 
bulletAnnual Mobility Report Released
bulletBruce B. Downs Multi-Use Trail Being Extended
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UNTI Community Announcements

Construction to begin on I-4/I-275 Interchange Improvements this Fall

As construction along I-275 from south of Busch Boulevard to north of the U.S. 41 overpass wraps up this fall, another project further south will likely impact many commuters for years to come. 

 Construction of safety and operational improvements to the I-4/I-275 Interchange are expected to begin this fall on I-275 from Floribraska Avenue to the Hillsborough River and on I-4 to 19th Street.  The expected completion date is Summer 2006.   


What improvements are being made? 

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Increase roadway to 4 lanes in each direction

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Extension of the Ashley Street entrance ramp

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Physical separation of downtown trips and through-trips 

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Relocation of the flyover ramp from southbound I-275 to eastbound I-4 

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Addition of 8-foot noise walls adjacent to densely developed residential areas

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Addition of landscaping & aesthetics 

Should long travel delays be expected? 

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Some travel delays can be expected

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The FDOT will be maintaining existing travel lanes during the day to allow for maximum traffic flow during peak driving hours

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The Ashley Street entrance ramp to northbound I-275/eastbound I-4 will be closed for approximately 3 months.

How can construction & travel delays be avoided? 

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Identify and use an alternate route 

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Alter work hours to avoid peak travel times

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Take turns driving as part of a carpool or vanpool to minimize stress associated with driving on congested roadways

Source:  www.tbinterstates.com

 

Annual Mobility Report Released

The Texas Transportation Institute has released its 2002 Urban Mobility Study, showing that urban congestion continues to increase.  

According to the report, indicators of growing traffic congestion include the following:

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The time penalty for peak period travelers has jumped from 16 hours per year in 1982 to 62 hours in 2000.  

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The period of time when travelers might experience congestion has increased from 4.5 hours in 1982 to 7 hours in 2000.

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The volume of roadways where travel is congested has grown from 34 percent in 1982 to 58 percent in 2000.  

 

The study also found that cities of all sizes, ranging from the largest populations to those with populations as small as 100,000, experienced more severe congestion, lasting longer periods of time, and affecting more of the transportation network in 2000 versus 1982.  

 

In the same time period, passenger travel miles increased over 85 percent on freeways and major streets and 25 percent on transit systems.  

 

How can the transportation system accommodate this growth and even more growth in the future?

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Increase capacity by increasing both roadways and transit;

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Increase efficiency of the transportation system via access management, signal timing, ITS, and information technology

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Manage demand for the transportation system by spreading out the peak period.  This can be done via tolls and pricing but also by altering work schedules to reduce the amount of travelers during peak times. 

Source: Texas Transportation Institute: Urban Mobility Study, The Short Report


Bruce B. Downs Multi-Use Trail Being Extended

The multi-use trail along Bruce B. Downs Boulevard in New Tampa is being extended from Amberly Drive to Cypress Run at Tampa Palms Apartments.  The extension of the trail will involve construction of a pedestrian bridge over Cypress Creek, drainage work, and signs and pavement marking.

 By extending the trail less than one-half mile south, more area residents will be able to bike, walk, and skate along Bruce B. Downs, and also connect with the 3,700-acre Flatwoods Wilderness Park, which boasts its own multi-use trail. 

 

Motorists should not be inconvenienced much during construction, as lane closures will be minimized, and no closures scheduled during the peak travel times of 6am to 10am and 4pm to 6pm.  

 

 

 

 


Vanpool Riders Wanted:  Decrease commute costs, improve use of travel time
A vanpool traveling from Sarasota/Bradenton to the USF Area, including the VA Hospital and Telecom Parkway is seeking riders.  Work hours are from 7:00am - 4:30 pm.  Call 813-282-8200 for more information.  

 

 

UNTI Seeking Comments on Commute Experiences

UNTI is interested in hearing about your commute!  Simply send an email to sobush@cutr.usf.edu or fill out the commute comments form at www.commuterservices.com/unti to tell us about your daily commute and any ways you have found to make the trip more bearable. 

 

 

 Planning & Construction Update: East West Road - New Tampa
 URS Corp., the consultant hired by the City of Tampa to study three proposed alignments for an East-West Roadway in New Tampa, has recommended Corridor B over Corridors A and C.  City of Tampa and Florida Department of Transportation staff will review the consultant’s recommendation.   If the recommendation is accepted, a two-year study of Corridor B will consider environmental issues and construction costs.  For more information on this project, log on to www.eastwestroad.com. 

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