RIVERVIEW, Fla. — The morning or afternoon drive through Riverview in Hillsborough County is one many people complain about. Work is underway on the Interstate 75 and Big Bend Road interchange to fix it and make it a lot faster.
On a good day, driving along I-75 near Big Bend Road, the backups will cost you an extra 10 minutes. Most days drivers are stuck for a lot longer than that. It's why the Florida Department of Transportation is working on a project to relieve traffic in the rapidly growing area of Hillsborough County.
The $81.7 million project will span from Covington Garden Drive to Simmons Loop.
Plans include widening Big Bend Road from four to six lanes. There will be a new I-75 SB exit ramp and changes to the I-75 NB entrance ramp to improve traffic flow. FDOT will also add new pedestrian, bicycle, and bus facilities to make the area more commutable.
In addition, a new bridge will be added to Old Big Bend Road over Bullfrog Creek.
Leaders say the project is being constructed in a design-build manner which allows them to complete the work faster than normal.
They’re on track to be finished in the summer of 2025.