Florida Construction News staff writer
Construction has officially started on the $643-million Westshore Interchange, the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) largest infrastructure project in the Tampa region.
The project, led by the Superior-Lane Joint Venture (SLJV) — a partnership between Superior Construction and The Lane Construction Corporation, the U.S. arm of Italy’s Webuild Group — aims to overhaul one of Tampa Bay’s most congested traffic hubs. The interchange, where Interstate 275, Veterans Expressway and State Road 60 converge near Tampa International Airport, has long been a source of delays for commuters and travellers alike.
“When decades of frustration meet smart design, we get projects like this,” said Ryan Hamrick, project director for SLJV. “This project is about delivering infrastructure that better supports how people travel to work, to the airport and across the region every day.”
FDOT opted for a phased design-build approach, allowing engineers and contractors to collaborate on nearly 90 innovative solutions before breaking ground. Officials say the process has already identified significant cost savings and operational improvements.
Planned upgrades include new elevated ramps for easier airport access, widened lanes on State Road 60, express lane connections, and improved infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians. New underpasses and bridges will also link areas north and south of the interstate. Once finished, the interchange is expected to serve roughly 400,000 vehicles daily, easing congestion, enhancing safety and improving travel reliability.
The project is slated for completion in December 2029.
