Residents and commuters can now enjoy an improved new corridor
Hillsborough County has nearly 1.5 million residents and continues to grow in population. The steady increase leads to more people on the roads and congestion. Bell Shoals Road in Valrico exemplifies a high-traffic road in a booming area. However, with a recent major expansion of the corridor complete, the road is now open and already improving travel for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
The 3.1-mile corridor has two new vehicle lanes, bike lanes, and sidewalks in both directions. A new traffic signal has been added at Starwood Avenue, and the existing signals at Glenhaven Drive, Rosemead Lane, and Bloomingdale Avenue have been upgraded. In addition, the existing bridge over the Alafia River was widened.
These tremendous enhancements will accommodate higher traffic volumes, improve stormwater drainage, and boost the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists. Additionally, they will increase access to transit and alternative transportation while preserving infrastructure assets.
The Bell Shoals Road project cost just over $70 million, including land acquisition and construction. The project was paid for with a variety of funding sources, including the Community Investment Tax (CIT), Federal Grants, and Mobility Fees.
**Improving infrastructure in Hillsborough County **
The new Bell Shoals Road corridor is the latest in a string of massive infrastructure projects in Hillsborough County, including the Bruce B. Downs expansion, the Citrus Park Drive extension, and the Paseo al Mar overpass connecting U.S. 301 and U.S. 41 in South County. All of these projects increased safety for drivers as well as pedestrians and bicyclists, and improved mobility across the county.