Riverview's Traffic Nightmare: Is a Selmon Expressway Extension the Answer?

Anyone who drives through Riverview knows the feeling.

 

The daily gridlock on U.S. 301 has become more than just an inconvenience; it's a full-blown crisis fueled by explosive population growth.

 

Now, Hillsborough County Commissioners are considering a bold, and potentially divisive, solution.

 

A proposal to extend the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway deep into South County is officially on the table, sparking both hope and concern across the community.

 

The project, presented by the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority, aims to connect the expressway south to the notoriously congested Big Bend Road corridor.

 

This move could fundamentally reshape the daily commute for thousands of residents.

 

The stakes are alarmingly high.

 

Between 2019 and 2023, the U.S. 301 corridor was the scene of nearly 3,000 crashes.

 

Tragically, twenty-five people lost their lives in that time, including pedestrians and a bicyclist.

 

Advocates for the project point to data suggesting the extension could slash commute times by as much as an hour during peak travel.

 

An official study also found the new toll road could cut delays at nearly half of the area's intersections, a welcome thought for frustrated drivers on roads like Gibsonton Drive and Bloomingdale Avenue.

 

Public feedback reveals a community desperate for relief.

 

A recent survey showed that a staggering 95% of over 7,200 respondents support the toll road, with many urging leaders to build it quickly.

 

But the support isn't universal.

 

Some residents fear the new infrastructure will bring unwanted noise, affect the look of their neighborhoods, or push the Riverview traffic problem onto smaller east-west roads.

 

For now, no decision has been made.

 

Wednesday’s presentation to the commission was purely informational, with no vote taken.

 

The real debate will happen in the community over the coming weeks.

 

Public meetings are scheduled for October 9, 11, and 14, giving residents a crucial chance to voice their opinions directly to planners.

 

FAQ: Riverview Traffic and the Selmon Extension

 

What is the proposed Selmon Expressway extension?

It's a plan to extend the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway from its current endpoint south to Big Bend Road in Riverview. The goal is to create a direct, high-speed alternative to the congested U.S. 301.

 

Why is Riverview traffic so bad on U.S. 301?

Rapid residential and commercial growth in South Hillsborough County has overwhelmed U.S. 301, which was not designed to handle the current volume of vehicles. This leads to severe daily congestion and safety issues.

 

How can residents give feedback on the plan?

The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority is holding public meetings on October 9, 11, and 14. Residents are encouraged to attend to learn more and provide direct input before any final decisions are made.