Florida Construction News staff writer
Major transportation projects planned for Tampa are aimed at improving public safety, funded through the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant program.
A $20 million federal grant, with a $5 million local match will be used for “low-cost, high-impact projects.”
Congresswoman Kathy Castor led the fight to establish this grant program and bring these dollars back to Tampa Bay.
“I am thrilled that the landmark Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that I championed in Congress is delivering resources to our hometown,” said Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14). “Few communities attracted more federal safe streets grant dollars from the Biden Administration than the Tampa Bay area.”
The communities of East Tampa, West Tampa, and the University Area will receive most of the funds. City leaders are planning road safety projects in these areas so construction can begin as soon as federal funds are released.
Projects approved for construction:
- Avenida Republica de Cuba (14th St) in Historic Ybor City, where visitors and residents alike will soon see new on-street parking, a protected bike lane, and pedestrian safety improvements at intersections between Columbus Drive and 26th Avenue.
- The Main Street project will add on-street parking, a new pedestrian crosswalk at Habana Avenue, speed tables, and intersection safety improvements between MacDill Avenue and Armenia Avenue. The first phase of safety improvements is slated to begin this spring.
- Road safety projects on Twiggs Street in downtown Tampa and Habana Avenue in West Tampa. Community input on both projects will begin in the next few months.
Tampa’s High-Injury Network Corridors receiving safety improvements with grant funds include: N Habana Ave, W Main St, N MacDill Ave, W Tampa Bay Blvd, E Twiggs St. E Scott St. N Ave Republica de Cuba, N 15th St, N 21st St, E Hanna Ave, E Lake Ave, and E Columbus Dr.
Tampa’s High-Injury Network Corridors receiving safety improvements with grant funds include: N Habana Ave, W Main St, N MacDill Ave, W Tampa Bay Blvd, E Twiggs St. E Scott St. N Ave Republica de Cuba, N 15th St, N 21st St, E Hanna Ave, E Lake Ave, and E Columbus Dr.
“Saving lives and reducing the tragic impact of traffic deaths is our top priority. We’re taking action by investing in cost-effective measures to make our roads safer and working closely with our community partners,” said Mayor Jane Castor. “And because we know that certain areas are affected more severely, we’re making sure to direct a significant portion of our resources, 74 percent, toward those communities. We won’t rest until we see fewer people being hurt or losing their lives on our roads.”
The City of Tampa is one of 37 local governments receiving grants under this program in this round of funding, and one of three in the state of Florida receiving funds.
