Year-Long Traffic Nightmare In Riverview Florida Begins

Our local area, including Riverview Florida, is notorious for bad traffic. In fact, the greater Tampa area as a whole ranks as the 11th worst in the country. If Gibsonton Drive, Brandon Boulevard, or roads through Riverview Florida are part of your daily commute, you know how bad traffic can get. Although traffic has been particularly bad in the past, we are in for a long 2022 with the upcoming renovation of US 301.

US 301 FDOT Construction: Riverview Florida

The Florida Department of Transportation is starting a much-needed construction project to improve sections of US 301 in Riverview Florida. While this is great news and the improvements should significantly reduce congestion and enhance safety, the project will require road closures during construction.

Part of Bloomingdale Avenue has already been closed as the construction has begun. The good news is that the contractor hired by FDOT for the road repairs, Ajax Paving Industries, is estimating the renovation of the Bloomingdale Avenue section to be complete in only 70 days. The repairs for this section will take place in two phases, and they will be replacing the asphalt with a durable concrete surface.

In Riverview Florida, during the first 14 days of construction, Bloomingdale Avenue between U.S. 301 and Robert Tolle Road will be closed. Detours will be in place around the construction area using Providence Road, Gornto Lake Road, Lumsden Road, Boyette Road, and Bell Shoals Road. Large electronic signs have been installed and will continue to be used to inform drivers about the construction, including which roads and specific sections will be closed.

21.3 Million Dollar Project

The cost of the overall project is 21.3 million dollars. When completed, it will have redone U.S. 301 between Lake St. Charles Boulevard and Progress Boulevard/Bloomingdale Avenue. One great thing about this project is it is adding a sidewalk along the east side of US 301. In addition, it is widening the northbound I-75 ramp.

This full project is expected to be completed by early 2023. That means we will have to put up with a lot of road construction and detours for the next year. Give yourself some extra time when driving anywhere. You can click here to see daily updates of road closures. In most cases, only small sections of 301, or one lane at a time will be closed.

Other Local Hillsborough County and Tampa News

Here are a few of the top stories and news from our local area in Riverview Florida. Is there a big story that we missed? If so, please let us know in the comments below this blog post.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Our defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers advanced past the first round of the NFL Playoffs. The Bucs beat the Philadelphia Eagles, 31-15. Tampa Bay was up 31-0, and the Eagles scored all 15 of their points in the 4th quarter when most of the backups were playing.

Tampa was led by, who else, the ageless wonder, Tom Brady. Brady passed for 271 yards and 2 touchdowns. They advance to play the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round. The Rams are 13-5 and coming off of a dominant 34-11 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

If the Buccaneers can win this home game against the Rams, they will face the winner of the Green Bay Packers vs San Francisco 49ers game for a chance to return to the Super Bowl and try to capture another championship for, “Champa Bay!”

Baylo The Manatee Freed

A local Manatee, named Baylo, made news over the past two months. The two year old was resceued as she was near death from sickness and suffering neuroligically from the red tide. The red tide is a dangerous algae bloom caused by an uhealthy high concentration of a microscopic algae. It has been affecting a lot of local wildlife, especially manatees.

In Riverview Florida, there were 49 confirmed manatee deaths caused by red tide in the local area in 2021, though the actual number may be higher. It is estimated that approximately 150 sea turtles also died, along with millions of pounds of fish that the local dolphin population depends on for survival. Fortunately, Baylo was not one of the casualties.

Baylo was rescued and rehabbed at ZooTampa and Lowry Park. She recovered well and last month she was released at the Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach. She returned to her home waters by the Teco Water Plant. The water near the water plant is warmer than other areas. It is a popular place for manatees to call home, and recently even sharks have been discovering the warm waters by the plant.

Baylo joins another young manatee, Ozzy, who was also released this past month. Ozzy also prefers the warm waters of Apollo Beach. If you see two young manatees swiming around the local waters, it might be Baylo and Ozzy!

#BettyWhiteChallenge Leads To Donations To Help Local Animals

On December 30th, actress Betty White passed away at the age of 99. White was a devoted lover of animals and a lifelong champion for pet adoption. This week would have marked her 100th birthday. To honor her legacy, the #BettyWhiteChallenge was launched on social media, inspiring animal lovers across the country—including communities in Riverview Florida—to support local shelters and rescue organizations.

The Betty White Challenge simply encourages people to donate $5 to their local animal shelter. The Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center has been on the receiving end of this, as well as other local shelters. The pet center has asked, in place of financial donations, that fans of Betty White drop off tor send reats or toys for the dogs and cats that are awatiing adoption.

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In addition, the Riverview Florida Resource Center is waiving all fees for the first 100 dogs and cats adopted. If you’re in Riverview Florida and looking to adopt a pet and bring some love into your home, now is a great time!