Skanska to lead $81 million Florida interchange project

Skanska has been selected to lead the reconstruction of Big Bend Road at Interstate 75 (I-75) interchange in Hillsborough County, Florida.

The company is spearheading the $81.7 million design-build project on behalf of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Construction is slated to finish by the end of summer 2024.

Designed by Dewberry, a privately held professional services firm, the project scope will encompass the widening and reconstructing of Big Bend Road and reconfiguration of the I-75 ramps, which will improve traffic flow and reduce delays.

The overall configuration of Big Bend Road will change from an existing four-lane rural roadway to a six-lane urban highway, consisting of three, 12-foot travel lanes in each direction separated by a raised variable-width median with curb and gutter, and closed-drainage system. A 10-foot, asphalt shared-use path will also be integrated into both sides of the new roadway.

The project will also be upgrading FDOT’s intelligent transportation systems (ITS), an initiative that uses advanced technologies and applications to collect real-time traffic information to manage roadway operations. The ITS Facility Management can be used for daily maintenance needs, emergency management, and project management. 

“With nearly 1.5 million residents, Hillsborough County is one of the state’s most populous counties and has multiple infrastructure projects underway like the reconstruction of Big Bend Road to accommodate the growth pace,” says Brook Brookshire, Senior Vice President of Skanska’s civil infrastructure operations in Florida. “These roadway improvements will help ease traffic congestion and improve the driving experience for commuters and visitors in the region.”

The planned infrastructure improvements will also include a new displaced left turn lane entrance ramp to I-75 NB, realignment of Old Big Bend Road, the addition of a roundabout at Bullfrog Creek Road, replacement of the existing bridges over Bullfrog Creek using phased construction, dedicated accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists, including a pedestrian tunnel, upgrades to roadway lighting, new signage, and adjustment and installation of Hillsborough County wet utilities.

Currently, Skanska is building three additional projects on behalf of FDOT across the state: the reconstruction of Interstate 4 at SR 557 Interchange and the $2.3 billion I-4 Ultimate project, both in Central Florida, and the more than $400 million re-build of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. 

Skanska USA recently completed the construction of Virginia Hospital Center’s new parking garage in Arlington, Virginia. The new parking garage includes three levels below grade and six levels above grade to hold approximately 1,700 cars.

The company recently broke ground at 3901 N Fairfax Drive. On completion, the 9-storey building will feature 191,000 sq ft of office space and 10,000 sq ft of retail space, as well as an 8,000 sq ft community-focused public plaza adjacent to Quincy Park.

The Manatee Board of County Commissioners recently voted to approve a $923.4 million budget that focuses heavily on improving infrastructure.

Over $550 billion is being pumped into America’s infrastructure under the Bipartisan Infrastructure deal. One in five miles, totalling 173,000 miles, of its highways and major roads and 45,000 bridges are in poor condition.