The construction project on I-275 from Martin Luther King north to Hanna Ave is moving forward. It was approved back in 2020, and the Department of Transportation substantially reduced the widening amount initially proposed. It is scheduled to break ground within the next couple of months and take several years to complete.
So, I'm providing a video update that includes comments from FDOT District 7 Secretary David Gwynn at a recent Cafe con Tampa meeting; I asked him to explain what was happening north of Martin Luther King up to Hannah Ave. Please click on the tab to watch
The update includes a call to action.
Since this project affects a corridor used by children going to and from Hillsborough High School, Hillsborough Middle School, Broward Elementary, and the Seminole Heights Library we need FDOT to do more for public safety.
So here is what I'm asking of you.
Please contact county Commissioners Gwen Myers, Mariela Smith, Pat Kemp, and Kimberly Overman.
:
Contact City Councilman Guido Maniscalco, Orlando Gudes, John Dingfelder, and Joe Citro.
Ask them to partner with FDOT for the following
1. ADD SIDEWALKS AS PART OF THIS CONSTRUCTION ON OSBORNE AND CHELSEA FROM NEBRASKA TO FLORIDA AVENUE
2. CREATE A WALK/BIKE AREA ON TALIAFERRO FROM HILLSBOROUGH TO EAST LAKE TO HELP RECONNECT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CARS ON THE ROAD.
This is about Public Safety and Building Back Better.
Join us for the Ninth Annual Seminole Heights Dog Pack Halloween Costume Paw-ty!
It’s an opportunity to showcase your talents and come up with costumes for you and your pooch(es). We’ll have two staging areas for photos, as well as snacks and drinks for both dogs and humans. Costumes, masks, and social distancing are highly encouraged!
We will meet up (as we do every week) at Henry and Ola Park at 9:30 am on Saturday, October 30th. From there, we’ll take a leisurely walk to Epps Park to celebrate. Come join our Halloween Costume Paw-ty!
Follow us on FB
https://www.facebook.com/SeminoleHeightsDogPackTampa/
Follow us on Meetup
https://www.meetup.com/Seminole-Heights-Dog-Park-Tampa/
Monday, September 20, 2021
I-275 Widening and Heights Flooding Relief Project and Sidewalks
As the project of the ever-widening, I-275 continues It is now clear the highway will have lanes built outside of the current structure. These lanes will run from the downtown interchange north just shy of Hannah Ave. The project is projected to start within the next few months and run up till 2025 or 2026.
In recent meetings with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), We have learned that there will be a full reconstruction of the Hillsborough Ave underpass and Martin Luther King Blvd. Those at Chelsea and Osborne will see some artwork, fencing, and a 5-foot barrier wall to keep homeless people from seeking shelter in the underpass. They have committed to building noise walls on both the east and West side of the project and nothing else.
The damage made to the adjacent roads will not be repaired by FDOT. They have no plans to add additional sidewalks that extend past the underpass. Both the city and F DOT have made an impressive presentation about issues on Osborne Ave but neither has committed to building full sidewalks from Florida Ave to Nebraska Ave. This is one of the main corridors for our kids walking to and from school and sidewalks extending out from the underpasses must be included in this project.
The Seminole Heights Flooding Relief Project
The same sidewalk criteria for sidewalks should also be followed for the Seminole Heights Flooding Relief project that begins at the end of 2021 and extends to 2024. Currently, there is a good design for safety and mobility on central Ave South of Hillsborough Ave but on the east and west corridors, there is no plan for additional safety and mobility i.e. sidewalks. Watch the video for a summary update of the September 15thvirtual meeting
Florida Law requires a safe walking area for kids
The request for sidewalks is not meritless. Kids are required to walk to school if they live within a two-mile radius. This rule falls under Florida Statute 1011.68. The rule for safe walking conditions (Florida Statute 1006.23) explains what is considered safe. “ It shall be considered a hazardous walking condition with respect to any road along which students must walk in order to walk to and from school if there is not an area at least 4 feet wide adjacent to the road”
It makes sense for the city and the state to include funds to expand sidewalks while construction is ongoing.
We should ask the city and the county to revisit the plans and Build Back Better.
