Riverview’s Big “301” Glow-Up? Why You Might Want to Pay Attention
Let’s talk about something almost as painful as stepping on a LEGO barefoot: driving on U.S. 301 at rush hour.
If you live anywhere in Southshore—Riverview, Apollo Beach, Ruskin, Sun City Center, or have ever tried to get through the Brandon corridor without losing your will to live—you know what we’re talking about. It’s traffic. It’s congestion. It’s “I only had three errands and somehow spent my entire afternoon in the car.”
Well, big changes might be coming—and the folks in charge want your two cents before they break out the bulldozers and toll booths.
🚧 What’s Going On?
The Hillsborough County Planning Commission and the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) are teaming up to take a hard look at U.S. 301 and how it could better serve a rapidly growing Southshore population.
We’re talking possible elevated toll lanes, Selmon Expressway extensions, or other congestion-busting upgrades—all under a state-sanctioned process called a PD&E study (Project Development & Environment). Fancy acronym, but it basically means: “We want to fix it… but not before we hear from you.”
🗺️ How Did We Get Here?
The Riverview Community Plan, last updated in 2006 (yep, back when flip phones were still a thing), is getting a much-needed refresh. Why now? Because this area has seen explosive growth—and with it, explosive traffic jams.
Officials say they’re reviewing the plan’s 13 core goals (think community character, transportation, economic development), especially where they intersect with the clogged mess that is the U.S. 301 corridor.
🛑 Why You Should Care (Like, Really Care)
This affects everyone who uses 301 to get anywhere—from Riverview to Wimauma, Apollo Beach to Brandon. If your route involves dodging school zones, construction cones, or left-turn daredevils on a daily basis, this plan hits home.
Residents have already raised concerns about:
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🚗 Traffic congestion (no kidding)
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🚶♀️ Pedestrian and cyclist safety
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🚨 Emergency evacuation routes
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😤 General “this is a hot mess” vibes
💬 Your Voice Actually Matters
This isn’t one of those “we’ll take your feedback and ignore it” kind of studies. Both THEA and the Planning Commission are practically begging people to get involved now, while they’re still in the brainstorming phase. That means your input could actually influence what happens.
You’ve got options:
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Take the survey: selmonstudies.com/us-301-study
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Review the current community plan: planhillsborough.org/planriverview
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Volunteer or learn more: planhillsborough.org
🔮 What’s Next?
Right now, it’s all very early-stage, with public meetings and planning workshops to come. But here’s the kicker: if you don’t speak up now, you don’t get to complain later when they build a toll lane where your shortcut used to be.
So, whether you’re pro-expansion, anti-toll, or just tired of fighting 301 like it’s a boss level in Mario Kart—now’s your chance to be heard.