The controversial plan to add express toll lanes on bay area roads is back on the table but this time under a new name. TBX is now Tampa Bay Next and the Florida Department of Transportation plans to kick things off at a public meeting tonight.
Much of the old plan is still under consideration including adding 90 miles of toll lanes to portions of I-4, I-75, and I-275 including the Howard Frankland Bridge. It would come at a cost of $6 billion and could impact dozens of people along a portion of 275.
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The group Sunshine Citizens opposes Tampa Bay Next and has been fighting FDOT to save their homes and businesses in Seminole Heights. Expanding I-275 through this area would require FDOT to seize properties in order to make room for express toll lanes. It's the most controversial part of Tampa Bay Next.
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FDOT is taking the next two years to research other successful highway projects to see what works well, re-evaluate the impact on the community and respond to people in an effort to open a two-way conversation between the department and the community.
The proposed start of construction would be around 2021.
FDOT's community meeting is tonight at 5:30pm at the Bryan Glazer Family Jewish Community Center on North Howard Avenue in Tampa.
To learn more about Tampa Bay Next, click here.
