Photograph provided by Robert B.
The future of the proposed two lane overhead expressway eventually doubling in size, ruining our neighborhood forever.
Photograph provided by Robert B.
From the proposed two lane overhead expressway to four lanes. A sure way to turn our neighborhood into a super highway, permanently destroying the South Tampa way of life.
Rush hour traffic moving smoothly on Gandy Blvd 4:27pm Tuesday June 16 2009 & 5:31pm Friday June 19 2009.
Video courtesy of 10connects.com
TV broadcast 14 April 2009
by Andy/Tampa
via online petition comment
I read about the project at http://www.tampa-xway.com . They state that 35% of traffic is passing through with no intentions of stopping. How many of that 35% see a local shop when driving by and finally stop in to make a purchase for gas, or need to drop a package off at the UPS Store, get a haircut or get a pizza at Marco’s to take home or drop off their computer for repair or find a different store for their furniture needs? What would the worlds largest retailer, Wal-Mart, have to say knowing that the traffic count in front of their new store will be decreased by 35%? Maybe they want to help petition?
I don’t see how a bridge will allow for visibility to the business district (main street). It’s my understanding that city code limits the height of business pole signs so there isn’t anyway of extending visibility higher with signage. Or the fact that it’s no longer convenient so chances are they won’t swing back anyway. Basically, 35% of potential customers will be taken away in this bad economy. We also have to take into consideration the depreciation of property values in the surrounding neighborhoods. A bridge with car and truck traffic is an eye sore and causes more noise. Does anyone know of an area that has prospered from this type of project??? Do the local proponents realize that business’ will close and then they will have to travel further for their needs? Are we sure this isn’t just a few looking at conveniencing themselves while negatively impacting many others investments in their business and/or property? Proponents need to look at the WHOLE picture and not the personal benefit.
Apparently THEA is generating substantial revenue if they can afford to build this project. Is there any legislation that requires a certain percent of toll money to go back into the business district and neighborhoods that are affected by such projects? Or are the profits to be used to make bigger profits by creating more toll roads? I say that the people who want the “convenience” of bypassing our district (at our expense) should have increased tolls so shared revenues go back directly to the effected community. Will the tolls raised on this project help the Gandy Friendship Trail get repaired? They want to take but what are they willing to give? Toll roads are money machines so share the profits!
by Donna M.
Florida Department of Transport (FDOT), just spent 22 million dollars of tax payers money to beautify and widen Gandy Blvd. The new wider medians allow the possibility for THEA, Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority, to construct a overhead expressway.
Even the newly added street lights are the right size to fit under a bridge at our expense!
DON’T LET THEM GET AWAY WITH YOUR MONEY, TOO MUCH GOVERNMENT~ AND THEY SAY We CAN NOT VOTE! TOO BAD!
Here are the facts:
No repayment to the taxpayers~ Thanks for your support they say and you can not vote!
Destruction in your neighborhood~ who wants to live under a bridge it creates high crime, all property values decrease in a slowing economy!
More congestion on Gandy~ who is going to spend a dollar extra to go a mile.. they will travel Gandy anyway! look at Hillsborough and Eisenhower!
You can not vote they made sure~ but your voice can be heard
Please sign our online petition.
Traffic moving freely, as shown in above video taken at 9:44am & 5:35pm Monday 15 June 2009. It’s also no surprise that Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) desires to have the Project Advisory Group’s approval for the expressway extension in September 2009, which happens to be the same time the current roadworks are completed, thus not allowing any chance for the PAG or the public to view the improved infrastructure including the added turn lanes, synchronized traffic lights etc.
by Tom W/Tampa
I have been thinking about the Cross-town Authority’s plan to construct an
ugly 30′ elevated toll road over Gandy and how we can prevent it. Obviously,
our disadvantage is that we are coming into the discussion later than the
proponents of the idea and we will have to spring into action to improve our
odds.
It seems that we were sold out by the city of Tampa government. The
Cross-town Authority reacts to requests from the city for construction
projects. The local political steps we have taken will affect our elected
officials if we can keep them from deflecting our efforts to the Authority.
What the Authority is doing now is estimating the cost, potential revenues
and the time to recover their investment.
I think we need to press our elected officials at the city level to
publically recant the requirement for the expressway extension. We should
also send a message to the state level expressing what a waste of money it
is for them to beautify Gandy just so the Expressway Authority can make it
ugly.
As for the Cross-town Expressway Authority – money talks. The only thing
they will listen to is an effective public boycott of their toll road
between Dale Mabry and Brandon. Obviously, we are not going to shut them
down, but they are looking to cut the revenue of our local businesses and
that is why they are getting so active.
Yesterday I drove to Fort Pierce with my wife and enjoyed avoiding the
Cross-town. Boycotting the Selmon Cross-Town is something our supporters can
do that is anonymous, yet will be completely effective. Even if they don’t
admit to the loss of revenue, they won’t have the funds to build if tolls go
down. Also, our supporters will be able to feel good about saving money.
Please let me know your thoughts.
If this road was so dysfunctional as claimed by Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA), then surely it would have not been moving so freely as shown in above video taken at 4:10pm Friday 12 June 2009.
by Bill from Tampa
Based on my own interaction and discussions with many residents in the immediate vicinity I am convinced that an overwhelming majority oppose the overhead toll road proposed by the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority.
Gandy Blvd is not the right place for an overhead roadway, no matter what is done to make it aesthetically pleasing. It just doesn’t belong there. It is a poor solution to lessen traffic during rush hour times, and if it is built the traffic will still be bad during rush hour just like everywhere else in our very populated city and county. Is it worth putting an eyesore right through the heart of a community to give a private entity a new project? We, the majority, do not think so.
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