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I-75 Ramps At Big Bend Get Improvements

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By SUSAN GREEN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 18, 2008

RIVERVIEW - The morning commute may get a little easier for motorists trying to get on Interstate 75 from Big Bend Road, as construction crews prepare to install a new traffic signal on the east side of the interstate overpass.

The posts for the new lights went up last week on each side of Big Bend's eastbound lanes, and the mast arms were scheduled to be added Tuesday, said Kris Carson, spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Transportation. The signal should become operational in the next few weeks, she said.

The signal is expected to alleviate problems for morning Tampa-bound commuters from Summerfield, South Pointe, South Fork and other subdivisions that have sprung up along U.S. 301. Traffic often backs up from the I-75 on-ramp as far east as Simmons Loop Road.

To help evening commuters returning home, construction began a few weeks ago to add a second left-turn lane to the exit ramp at Big Bend Road for motorists heading west to King's Lake or Covington Garden subdivisions. Carson said a developer is responsible for that project.

Several projects, including Waterset subdivision, an open-air mall and a warehouse park, are planned or under construction off Big Bend west of I-75.

Tamiami Makeover
GIBSONTON - Motorists may continue to face delays on an 8.5-mile stretch of U.S. 41 between Bullfrog Creek and 19th Avenue in Ruskin through October.

State road construction crews are working on a $10 million project that includes resurfacing the asphalt, installing sidewalks, adding a rail to the Bullfrog Creek bridge and making some drainage improvements. Various lanes may be closed from time to time between 7 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. and between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Reporter Susan M. Green can be reached at (813) 865-1566 or sgreen@tampatrib.com.

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