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- Water Main Break Still Closing Portion Of U.S. 41
- John’s Pass Channel Closures and Bridge Closures
- Black Friday Shopping Travel Guide
- Thanksgiving Commute Reminders
- FDOT Construction Update - Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties
- SR-54 Public Hearing
- Tampa Airport Interchanges Construction Project Update
- Driving in Fog
- Ironman 70.3 and Its Traffic Impact this Saturday
- November Construction Update
- Hillsborough County Launches County US 301 Construction on Thursday
- Himes Avenue Construction
- Railroad Construction Will Close a Portion of SR-60 in Hillsborough County
- What's Your Tastykake?
- I-75 Construction Closures
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To celebrate Father’s Day, Dad’s ride free on the TECO Line Streetcar System when accompanied by their families all day Sunday, June 15th.
The TECO Line Streetcar System operates from noon until 8 p.m. on Sundays.
Happy Father’s Day to all Dads!
Paving work will begin on the local lanes of the Crosstown Expressway east and west of the 78th Street main toll plaza on Sunday June 22, 2008. Paving work will take place at night from 7 p.m. until 5 a.m. The project is expected to be completed Thursday, July 17, 2008.
Users of the elevated lanes will not be affected, but drivers on the lower lanes (both eastbound and westbound directions) will encounter lane closures and paving equipment during this time. In addition, for safety reasons, the construction area will be lighted.
This Friday, the FDOT will launch a new safety campaign, Guard Your Life - Drive Alert on I-75, aimed at reducing traffic-related fatalities on Interstate 75. The safety campaign coincides with a construction project to add guardrail on I-75 from CR-577 to the Pasco/Hernando County Line and from north of SR 50 to the Hernando/Sumter County Line.
District Seven Secretary of Transportation Don Skelton said, “FDOT is putting in guardrails along the medians of I-75 in Hillsborough, Pasco, and Hernando counties in an effort to reduce head-on crashes. The goal is to make I-75 a safer corridor for everyone.”
From January 2004 through May 2007, there were a total of 4,702 crashes with 3,160 injuries and 66 fatalities that occurred on I-75 from Hillsborough/Manatee to Hernando/Sumter counties. Out of these crashes there were 36 head-on collisions resulting in one fatality and 26 injuries.
FDOT is also joining forces with the Florida Trucking Association to broadcast this safety message.
For more information on the FDOT “Guard Your Life - Drive Alert on I-75” safety campaign, please visit: http://www.drivealert75.com.
In the event of a severe hurricane forecast for the Bay area where mandatory evacuations are ordered, undoubtably you will have a lot to consider. Experts recommend taking car of your car now, so it is one less task to remember. Here are few tips for hurricane car preparation:
1. Make sure you have a full tank of gas before a storm arrives.
2. Store a crate in your trunk with emergency supplies: a first aid kit, duct tape, jumper cables for a dead battery, one or two blankets, a flashlight, bottled water, shelf-stable food (like energy bars), basic tools like a screwdriver and pliers, a couple of brightly colored cloths to tie on your rear-view mirror to signal for help if you need it.
3. Make sure you have a good spare tire.
4. If you’re evacuating, bring your (fully charged) cell phone.
5. If you’re evacuating or returning home after a hurricane, avoid driving through water. The average car can be swept off the road by as little as 12” of moving water. According to the National Hurricane Center, more than half of all hurricane deaths in the last 30 years have resulted from inland flooding. Of those deaths, one in four was someone who drowned in her car. Find an alternate route.
6. If your vehicle stalls in deep water, you may need to restart the engine to make it to safety. However, restarting may cause severe damage to your engine. If you can’t restart your vehicle and you become trapped in rising water, IMMEDIATELY ABANDON IT FOR HIGHER GROUND. If you’re unable to get out of the vehicle safely, call 911 or get help from a passerby or someone standing on higher ground.
7. After you and your vehicle are out of deep water and in a safe area, depress your brakes slowly several times to help dry them out. And remember, if you’re evacuating an area and leaving your car behind, be sure it’s not left in a low-lying area prone to flooding. Rising water can seep in and damage your vehicle.
I received an email from Tom in Land O Lakes with the following questions:
“On Saturday night, I saw on the Howard Frankland Bridge and Veterans Expressway signs that said “traffic pacing” from midnight til 4am. What is traffic pacing? And who was Howard Frankland?”
In the simplest sense, traffic pacing, also known as rolling roadblocks, occurs when traffic is temporarily stopped on a roadway. This traffic pattern is frequently used during highway construction projects to allow for equipment and workers to enter and exit the active construction area. Rolling roadblocks generally last from 10-30 minutes and are typically scheduled overnight when traffic is the light to minimize associated delays.
Traffic pacing is ongoing now along I-275 NORTHBOUND between the interchange for SR-60 West and Tampa Airport and I-4. According to the Florida DOT, drivers should expect one or more lanes to be blocked Sunday through Thursday nights for roadway construction from 11:30 pm to 5:00 am.
And, Tom ... who is Howard Frankland?
William Howard Frankland came to Tampa in 1925 and founded Pioneer Tire. The son of a Tennessee horse buggy seller, Frankland became a prominent Tampa merchant, banker and member of the old state Road Board. He also founded Rubber Products Inc., which is still run by his family members today. Frankland proposed the bridge and its location, insisting the land between the Gandy Bridge and Courtney Campbell Parkway were ripe for development. He died in 1980 at age 70.
For more information on the Howard Frankland Bridge visit http://interstate275florida.com/hfb.htm.
You can submit all of your traffic questions on this blog… we may air yours live on News Channel 8 Today.
Wednesday’s tanker crash in Manatee County has indefinitely closed I-75 Southbound between Exit #224, US 301, and Exit #220, SR 64. All Northbound lanes have been reopened.
Southbound drivers should plan for alternates roadways. The most direct route from I-75 is US 301 West to US 41 South to SR 64 East to reconnect to the Southbound lanes of the interstate.
Expect heavy volume on all of the secondary roadsways in Manatee County near I-75, US 301, US 41, and SR 64.
Northbound US 301 remains closed as well at I-75. Traffic is being detoured on the local service road.
Drivers exiting the Sunshine Skyway Bridge Southbound wishing to connect with Southbound 75 should exit at US-41 South and connect with SR 64 East. SR 64 will again reconnect you with I-75.
Officials say these closures could be in place for days, weeks or longer. Today is the last day of classes for students in Manatee, so tomorrow should be a little easier without the school buses on the roads.
Check out the first four tips to save when you need a tune-up ... watch the video below.
VIDEO: Auto Repair Savings Tips
And here are the final four tips… too valuable to leave out!
5. Some vehicles may benefit from ceramic brakes. They cost approximately $30 more each, but can last longer. Ed Chancey from Olin Mott adds, “Alot of import cars, alot of your explorers, and your big SUV’s are harder on brakes, simply because they are bigger vehicles. It may actually be to your benefit to go with ceramic brakes which require less maintainence.>
6. Shop around for computer diagnostic tests, most cost around $75 but some places, including AutoZone retailers, will do it for free. For an AutoZone near you, visit http://www.autozone.com/store_locator/home.htm.
7. Fix small cracks in your windshield before they splinter. It’s the law and covered under no fault. Ed also adds, “ When the crack becomes severe, water can leak in and cause interior damage to your vehicle.”
8. Develop a relationship with a repair shop you trust. Ed notes, “You may wind up paying for cheap service in the end if there are problems.” And last, Ed also recommends checking into a warranty and extended warranty for your car, especially with foreign and luxury vehicles, where parts and labor can be expensive.
Florida DOT will conduct a mock contraflow exercise this weekend along I-4. “Contraflow” means to reverse-lane highways where all traffic travels in one direction for hurricane evacuation.
Saturday, beginning at 7 am, FDOT will deploy all the equipment and manpower needed during an actual contraflow along I-4 between 50th St. in Tampa and World Drive in Orlando.
However, since this is only a training event, all I-4 lanes will remain open and traffic will not be reversed.
The contraflow exercise is expected to last several hours.
Just after 2 a.m. on Memorial Day, tow truck driver, Vicente Torres, was killed in a hit-and-run crash in Miami-Dade County. Torres and two other workers in that county were killed this past weekend while assisting motorists with disabled vehicles.
Investigators say these deaths can be prevented if drivers follow the ‘Move Over Law.’ Florida law requires drivers to reduce speed and vacate the lane closest to emergency vehicles, including tow trucks and other roadside assistance vehicles, providing assistance. If the lane can’t be vacated, drivers are required to slow down.
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 220 traffic crashes occurred in 2006 when drivers did not follow the ‘Move Over Law.’
Yesterday, we went searching for the truth in the common myths of fuel efficiency. In this morning’s Traffic Talk, we talked to the experts to find out the best ways to increase your gas mileage so you make less trips to the pump.
Gregg Laskoski from AAA Auto Club South recommends 8 ways to improve your MPG(miles per gallon):
1. Maintain your engine.
Gregg adds, “Maintaining your vehicle is really the key… make sure you have a clean air filter, a clean oil filter, and check your spark plugs.”
2. Check your tire pressure.
For every pound of pressure your tires are under-inflated, you are losing 2% of your fuel economy.
3. Declutter!
Even an extra 100 pounds increases you fuel consumption by up to 2%… so get rid of the golf clubs, beach chairs and coolers to save.
4. Avoid harsh stops and starts typical of city driving.
Aside from the wear and tear these harsh movements place on your vehicle, they also waste gas. Ease into a stoplight or intersection and gradually accelerate when you need to increase your speed to save fuel.
5. Use cruise control.
The even distribution of fuel and speed will improve your fuel economy. However, remember cruise control is not recommended in rainy or severe weather.
6. Don’t speed!
Speeding, while dangerous, is also expensive. It can reduce your MPG by 33% at highway speeds. Gregg notes, “It makes a lot more sense to drive the speed limit and cut down your speed where you can and it will definitely help conserve gasoline.:
7. Roll down the windows.
Your air conditioner is a huge gas guzzler. Gregg recommends, “Many people instinctively put the air conditioner on when they get in the car, especially here in Florida, but try to conserve when you can. Most mornings you really don’t need it.”
8. Consolidate.
Schedule all of your errands in a particular region or for a particular day so you make the most of your time, trips, and gas mileage.
Finally, experts say gas prices can change any day of the week, but if you can fill up as early as possible before a holiday weekend, you may be able to save.
Any way you cut it, $4.00 a gallon hurts, so cut back where you can. Try riding your bike or walking to the local grocery store or pharmacy. You’ll get a little cardio and still have a few extra pennies in your pocket at the end of the day.
Have a great Memorial Day weekend!
As fuel prices soar, American’s wallets run on empty. And AAA Director, Gregg Laskoski, says from March to May, we typically see the highest prices of the year.
“Its the time when refineries have to ramp up for their summer blended fuel inventory which has to be in the market by early May.” At the same time they have to do that, they’re still supplying much of the Northeast with heating oil.”
So while cutting back seems inevitable, when you do have to fill up, we ask, “Are there any truths to the common urban myths?”
MYTH 1: To get a “true” gallon, fill up in the morning when temperatures are cool… This is true!
When you have high heat and humidity, gasoline expands in density but not in volume.
MYTH 2: To prevent evaporation, fill your tank before it falls below half-full. This, while only marginally beneficial is also true!
Evaporation does come into play, how much is hard to say. Experts agree to fill your tank before it dives below a quarter of a tank to preserve your engine, prevent emergencies, and yes, reduce evaporation.
MYTH 3: Pump your gas at a low speed to reduce vapors. True!
While again it is hard to determine exactly how much you waste, experts note pumping at full-speed can generate vapors essentially releasing some of the gas you are paying for, so use a low-medium speed when you fill up.
MYTH 4: Never fill up when a service station’s supply tanks are being refueled, so you don’t pay for sludge. It’s true!
When the gasoline is being delivered, chances are you could be getting much of the sludge being stirred up from the bottom, and you don’t want to put that in your tank.
Okay, so yes, these tricks may only save you a few pennies with each trip to the gas station, as gas prices approach $4.00 a gallon, every penny can count. Check back tomorrow for the proven ways to increase your gas mileage so you make less trips to the pump.
As Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama plans a visit to Tampa, drivers downtown are planning for the increased traffic volume. Obama’s rally at the St. Pete Times Forum officially begins at noon today. However, city officials are planning for delays throughout the downtown region, specifically Platt Street, Channelside Drive, Tampa Street from Kennedy Boulevard to Brorein Street, Morgan Street from Kennedy Boulevard to Channelside Drive and Channelside Drive from Twiggs Street to Cumberland Avenue from 9 to 3 p.m.
To help remedy the congestion, HART officials have extended service.
In-Town Trolley Purple Line hours for Wednesday: 6 a.m.-11 a.m.; 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
TECO Line Streetcar System hours for Wednesday: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Fares
In-Town Trolley:
Adult One-Way: 50 cents
Discount* One-Way, 25 cents
TECO Line Streetcar System:
Adult One-Way, $2
Discount* One-Way, $1
*People 65 or older or 17 or younger, people with disabilities or Medicare cardholders. Children age 4 and younger ride free when no taller than the yellow height line and accompanied by a paying adult.
Exact change required to board.
In-Town Trolley Purple Line
TECO Line Streetcar System
People wishing to access downtown by transit can park in the Poe and Fort Brooke garages or parking lots on the north end of downtown and hop on the In-Town Trolley; or go to the Centro Ybor or Palm Avenue garages in Ybor City and ride the streetcar to Channelside, the Forum or the Southern Transportation Plaza near the convention center.
For a map of parking options in and around downtown Tampa, the Channel District and Ybor City, visit http://www.discoverintown.com and click on Maps.
Unfortunately, these two drivers did not understand the “I go, THEN you go” toll plaza pattern… scary, I know! Thanks to Betty in Plant City for the laugh 
Despite rising travel & fuel prices, AAA expects only a nominal - 0.9 percent - drop in Memorial Weekend Travel.
Nationwide, 37.8 million people are expected to travel. That’s down just a bit from last year’s total of 38.2 million. The southeastern U.S. reflects the same rate of decrease (0.9%) as the nation. In Florida, more than 2 million residents are projected to travel at least 50 miles from home; while more than 1 million Georgians and some 661,000 Tennesseans are forecast to travel during Memorial Weekend.
In the southeast, the number of people who intend to travel by car is projected to diminish by only 0.7 percent and the number of persons traveling by plane is projected to decline from last year’s figure by 1.2 percent.
“Rising gasoline prices won’t keep us from enjoying our family vacations; they’ll just keep some of us a little closer to home,” said Kevin Bakewell, Senior Vice President, AAA Auto Club South. “The important thing to remember is that the lion’s share of the vacation budget goes to hotel/motel accommodations and eating in restaurants…the cost of gasoline still amounts to a very small proportion of the typical family vacation budget – usually less than 10 percent.”
Holiday auto travelers will find gas prices nationwide currently averaging $3.75 per gallon of self-serve regular gasoline— 40 cents higher than last month and 64 cents higher than this time last year. In Florida, the average price of $3.79 for a gallon of unleaded regular represents an increase of 79 cents over this date last year; while Georgia’s $3.75 is an increase of 80 cents over last year; and Tennessee’s $3.65 is an increase of 76 cents over the same date in 2007.
Research for Memorial Day travel is based on a national survey of 2,200 adults by the Travel Industry Association of American, which conducts special research for AAA.
May is National Bike Month… and cycling is a great way to cut down on environmental pollutants, burn calories, and save fuel costs. So if you have ever thought about biking to work, now may be the perfect time. Bicycleuniverse.info reports using a bicycle to commute four days a week for four miles (one-way) saves 54 gallons of gas annually. Moreover, according to IVillage.com, just an hour of light to moderate bicycling can burn more than 400 calories. And with regular gas pushing $4 a gallon, even small cut-backs can yield big savings.
Also, don’t forget this - if you are considering bicycling as your mode of transportation to work, and are ever in need of an emergency ride home, don’t forget about the Emergency Ride Home Program (ERH) which provides a free taxi ride home from work in the event of illness, unscheduled overtime or a family emergency. If you have any questions concerning the ERH program or if you would like to enroll, please contact Bay Area Commuter Services (BACS) at 1-800-998-RIDE (7433) or sign up online at http://www.TampaBayRideshare.org
Finally, bicycle safety is key for sharing the roads. Make sure to always wear a helmet when you ride - youngsters and adults too! Look for helmets with an ANSI, Snell, or ASTM safety approval sticker inside the helmet. Also, set this family rule in place: if your child is going out on their bicycle with a friend, have him or her leave a note in a specific location telling with whom he or she is riding and where they intend to ride that day. Then, should an emergency arise, it will be easier for family members to locate the child. Also, make sure your bike’s equipment is properly installed and working. This includes tire pressure, brakes, pedals, bells, and lights or reflectors.
And finally, here are 10 friendly rules of the road reminders:
1.) Obey all applicable traffic regulations, signs, signals, and markings. Bicycles are subject to the same rules of vehicular traffic, wherever they apply.
2.) Observe all local ordinances pertaining to bike safety. It is your responsibility to know them and abide them.
3.) Keep right: drive with traffic, not against it. Drive single file. Keep as close to the curb as practical.
4.) Watch out for drain grates, soft shoulders and other road surface hazards.
5.) Watch out for car doors opening or for cars pulling into traffic.
6.) Don’t carry passengers or packages that interfere with your vision or control.
7.) Be extremely careful at intersections, especially when making a left turn. Most accidents happen at intersections. If traffic is heavy, get off and walk your bike with pedestrian traffic.
8.) Use hand signals to indicate turning or stopping.
9.) Protect yourself at night by wearing light-colored, reflective clothing.
10.) Drive your bike defensively; plan for the unexpected.
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