Florida Construction News staff writer
The City of Tampa has been awarded $2.6 million from the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) to create safer roads along priority corridors.
Working with the University of South Florida’s Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) the city will implement speed mitigation treatments along select roadways in underserved areas of the city to address gaps in transportation infrastructure.
The four corridors covered by this grant include Rowlett Park Drive, Palm Avenue, E Sligh Ave, and N 34th Street.
“We understand no loss of life is acceptable, and that’s why I signed the Vision Zero pledge and we developed the City’s first Vision Zero Action Plan,” Mayor Jane Castor said in a statement. “This is another big step that will allow us to engage our community to develop our Safe System approach through practical and efficient quick build projects.”
In addition to the $2.6 million grant, the City of Tampa will contribute $650,000 toward the project. Examples of speed mitigation efforts that may be applied include new striping and signage, speed feedback signs, new pedestrian crossings, and/or intersection bulb-outs using striping and posts to extend the sidewalk or curb line.
“One of the top aims of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is to make streets safer and connect neighborhoods,” said US Representative Kathy Castor. “Historic Ybor City, East Ybor, Sulphur Springs and East Tampa will directly benefit.”
