Backups on US-92 in Hillsborough County, a popular detour route for drivers avoiding congestion on I-4, are a constant problem for residents and business owners, like Jackie. Jackie contacted News Channel 8 with this Road Rants question:
I am a business owner along 92, right in the middle of Garden Lane and Faulkenburg Road. When an accident occurs on I-4, Highway 92 gets backed up and business and/or homeowners/renters have a hard time getting out. We have heard that FDOT is/was going to expand 92 at some point but it gets worse every year. Any answers to alleviate this problem?
The Florida Department of Transportation told News Channel 8 that prior to 2016 funding was set aside to design an overhaul of US-92, to be spent in fiscal year 2016, but the funds were moved to other higher priority projects by the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization.
However, FDOT was recently asked to take another look at the 18-mile-long stretch of the US-92 corridor, from east of I-75 to east of County Line Road, and a study team has completed an examination of the highway. The new study evaluated the potential effects of widening the highway from a two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided roadway, except through downtown Plant City. Operational improvements such as improved signalization and intersection widening were also considered. Operational improvements increase roadway capacity by enabling roadways to perform more efficiently and often help reduce the need for additional right-of-way. A feasibility analysis of providing grade separation/interchanges at Park Road and County Line Road was also conducted.
According to FDOT, per the Mayor of Plant City’s request, transportatation officials and the Hillsborough County MPO are moving forward with interim projects & operational improvements on US-92. The scope of the projects has yet to be determined, however FDOT says a strategy is being hammered out, and progress is expected in the coming months. Construction improvements are included in the MPO’s Long Range Transportation Plan.
Information on FDOT’s US-92 study is available at this link, and a map of MPO projects is available here.
Send your road construction questions, or your complaints about your commute, to Traffic Reporter Meredyth Censullo at mcensullo@wfla.com or on Facebook at WFLA Meredyth.
TRENDING STORIES:
Baby dies after being found in daycare van in Florida, co-owner arrested
Healthy dog euthanized to be buried with dead owner
Texas couple loses triplets within hours of birth
Zoo euthanizes flamingo hit by rock thrown by child
Execution of Bobby Joe Long: Latest updates
Bride reacts to wedding crasher at St. Pete Beach reception
Hidden Valley Ranch, Cracker Barrel pool floats arrive just in time for summer
