The Florida Department of Transportation is holding two community engagement workshops this week to talk about Tampa Bay Express, a controversial interstate expansion project.
The first meeting was held Monday night in Tampa.
- Tampa Bay Express adds toll lanes to 3 highways
- I-275, I-75, I-4
- Opponents say FDOT moving forward without enough info
Planners said they've been collecting community input for more than a year. They said they've used those responses to come up with ways to help mitigate the impact of the project, which would add 50 miles of toll lanes along I-275, I-75 and I-4.
"We're not just the DOT, we're members of this community, we live here, I live here. So these things are just as important to me," said FDOT representative Ed McKinney.
FDOT is looking at ways to make the underpasses more "pedestrian friendly" by widening sidewalks and improving lighting.
Designers said underpasses can be turned into recreational areas with a park-like atmosphere.
They said the interstate will be elevated in some area and they're looking at ways to make sound walls more open and attractive.
"In addition is the reconnection of the neighborhoods. We've identified many opportunities where we can make those reconnections," McKinney said.
But TBX opponents aren't buying it.
"They don't know how much it's going to cost, they don't know where they're going to have to put the retention ponds, they don't know how much land they'll need, which they are going to take through imminent domain if people don't sell it to them. They're moving forward with barely any data," said Adam Metz.
Opponents said they'd rather see other mass transit options.
"I think that's one of the big things is we just don't see a lot of alternatives out of FDOT. It's either take TBX or nothing at all," said Amanda Brown.
FDOT said the expansion is needed to ease road congestion.
Another meeting will be held on Thursday at the Seminole Heights Branch Library on Central Avenue from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.