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Proposed project aimed at easing I-4 traffic congestion in Plant City

Posted at 8:08 PM, May 29, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-29 20:08:25-04

The Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization is asking for the public's input on a proposed project to extend Sam Allen Road in northeastern Plant City, stretching it an additional mile or so to connect to Swindell Road.

The project is to lessen the impact of a growing population on I-4, by giving drivers another east to west option.

"I've been driving I-4 for a long time and that road is the worst I've ever seen it," Mike Williamson, who lives along Sam Allen Road, said.

Williamson has lived at his home since 1992. He also commutes to Tampa via I-4 for work. He's skeptical of the project and believes more work should be done on the interstate itself.

"I'm no expert road planner, so I'm not sure exactly what should be done," Williamson said. "(But) I would like to see them widen it. I didn't understand why they only put 3 lanes in when they did the road widening to start with, it seemed like they were already starting too small."

The MPO will hold a public open house about the proposal on June 15, at the City of Plant City Commission Chambers starting at 5:30 p.m.