Skanska completes reconstruction of I-275 in Tampa

Tampa, Fla. — Skanska USA announced the completion of reconstruction of Interstate 275 (I-275) between SR-60 and Hillsborough River, a $225 million project led by the joint venture of Skanska and Ajax and designed by WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff on behalf of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

The design and reconstruction of I-275 consisted of building two four-lane highways north and south bound with five interchanges, while maintaining the existing traffic during the project’s four-year span. The project is a major improvement to the traffic patterns in and around downtown Tampa and was delivered four months ahead of schedule.

“Each project decision affected someone’s commute, so we focused on rebuilding the highway while keeping people in the Tampa area moving,” says Jim Goyer, vice president of Florida operations for Skanska USA Civil. “The roadway improvements delivered will help motorists along I-275 have a safer driving experience for years to come.”

The 4.4-mile long project encompassed removal of 12 existing bridges, construction of 21 bridge structures, over 30 traffic changes, and the installation of 6,000 feet of drainage concrete piping that carries stormwater.

I-275 reconstruction project has received recognitions including the Florida Transportation Builders’ Association’s 2016 Best Project in the urban category and a recycling award from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for achieving a 98.7 percent recycling rate on the project.

Currently Skanska is building three additional projects on behalf of FDOT:

• $118 million design-build of the Choctawhatchee Bay Bridge (US331) in Walton County;
• $398.5 million redevelopment of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties; and
• $2.3 billion I-4 Ultimate project in Central Florida, where Skanska is the leading partner in the joint venture of Skanska, Granite and Lane, known as SGL Constructors.

Additionally, Skanska is also building a 230,000-square-foot research and education facility on the Johns Hopkins Medicine All Children’s Hospital campus in St. Petersburg and rebuilding the St. Petersburg Municipal Pier in downtown as well as the Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park project in Tampa.