Florida’s Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) is planning to invest $752 million between 2026 and 2031. Of this, $692 million will be invested in developing infrastructure.
Major projects planned include the introduction of sophisticated intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and the latest technology that will help to boost safety and cut congestion. Other plans include the South Selmon Capacity Project and the Whiting Street extension.
According to Greg Slater, CEO and executive director of THEA, “Data-driven technology is at the core of THEA’s decision making process and the data is clear, our region is seeing unprecedented growth with the typical burdens associated with it. One example is traffic congestion, which is both growing and changing. In 2024, our systems averaged 270,000 transactions a day, 10,000 higher than just one year earlier. While this growth was anticipated, it was realised at a much quicker pace than anticipated. These numbers are 20% higher than those projected prior to the pandemic. Congestion is also shifting. It is no longer limited to morning and afternoon peak hours but is now also occurring in the middle of the day.”
In partnership with Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Hillsborough County, THEA is evaluating the potential for increased capacity along US 301 from the Selmon Expressway to south of Big Bend Road. THEA will conduct a study to identify alternatives that will support the travel demand for southeast Hillsborough County. Extending the Selmon Expressway to south of Big Bend Road in the US 301 corridor could reduce congestion and improve safety and mobility on US 301 as well as US 41, I-75, and local roads, with the anticipated cost reaching $13.8 million.
Costing $7 million, THEA is installing additional safety improvements to address the issue of wrong-way drivers entering the Selmon Expressway.
