The Selmon Expressway, a thoroughfare connecting Tampa, Fla.’s eastern suburbs to downtown, was facing a looming crisis. Over the last decade, traffic had doubled, and projections suggested that volumes would surge by another 83% on the eastern segment.
The increasing congestion was not just an inconvenience—it threatened to choke the flow of commerce and daily life in the region.
In 2006, the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) had introduced the nation's first All-Electronic Reversible Express Lanes (REL) to alleviate congestion for commuters heading into the city. But these lanes, once a lifesaver for downtown-bound drivers, were now underused.
The advent of remote work and shifting commuting patterns meant that fewer people were heading downtown each day. In fact, many drivers had begun spreading their commutes across a wider region, further taxing the already congested lower lanes of the expressway.
To adapt to this changing landscape, THEA proposed a solution that was practical and strategic: repurpose the underutilized upper deck of the expressway. The project, known as the East Selmon Slip Ramp Project, aimed to create new entry and exit points for westbound drivers, allowing them to enter the REL near the Interstate 75 interchange and exit before reaching downtown.
This project rounds out our list of Top 10 Roads of 2024. It relieves pressure on the lower lanes and reduces congestion at key intersections like the I-4 Connector and Twiggs Street.
The project’s design was complex, requiring coordination with local and state agencies, as well as careful planning to integrate the new ramps with existing infrastructure. One of the biggest challenges was fitting these ramps into the narrow, constrained space above active railroad tracks.
The project team worked closely with CSX Railroad to ensure that the design met all necessary structural clearances while minimizing disruption to rail operations.
Managing the flow of traffic through the work zone was a priority. With more than 45,000 vehicles traveling through the area each day, lane closures were limited to off-peak hours to minimize disruption. Real-time traffic updates were provided through GPS apps, such as Waze and Google Maps, guaranteeing that commuters could adjust their routes as needed. Electronic message boards were also used to give drivers timely warnings about lane shifts and closures.
The new slip ramps brought immediate benefits. Within a month, THEA reported a 300-vehicle reduction in daily traffic entering the downtown core, significantly easing congestion, particularly around local schools. This helped improve traffic flow along neighborhoods and roads leading to Bayshore Boulevard and beyond. For drivers, the new ramps provided quicker access to the express lanes, bypassing the most congested parts of the expressway. By optimizing the flow of traffic across both decks of the Selmon Expressway, THEA had effectively turned a potential bottleneck into a smooth, manageable corridor.
Thanks to THEA’s proactive planning, the project improved the efficiency of the road system and the quality of life for drivers throughout Tampa, a sentiment echoed by Greg Slater, CEO and executive director of THEA.
“I am proud of the THEA leadership, staff and everyone involved with the success of the East Selmon slip ramps,” Slater said. “This project is part of a larger capacity plan for East Selmon and enabled us to provide relief to our customers much sooner. The ramps are very effective and have noticeably reduced traffic on our neighborhood roads, positively impacting our safety efforts.”
Vincent Cassidy, chairman of THEA’s board, spoke to the importance of the recognition of the project and its benefits that were immediately evident.
“On behalf of our entire board and staff, I am grateful that Roads and Bridges has recognized the importance of the East Selmon Slip Ramp Lane project,” Cassidy said. “It was a strategic project that relieved stress on our system while improving our customers' driving experience. Your recognition also validates our dedicated, innovative leadership team and staff.”
Project: East Selmon Slip Ramp Project
Location: Tampa, Fla.
Owners: Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA)
Designer: GPI
Contractor: Middlesex
Cost: $24 Million
Length: The ramps are entrance/exit ramps within the existing system. The length for both is less than ¼ mile.
