Construction firm wins $81.7M road reconstruction contract

TAMPA — The Florida Department of Transportation has chosen Skanska, a global construction and development firm, to lead the reconstruction of Big Bend Road/Interstate 75 interchange in southern Hillsborough County — a project valued at $81.7 million.

Work began at the site in August and is slated for completion by the end of summer 2024, according to a news release. Designed by Dewberry, the project aims to improve traffic flow and reduce delays at the busy interchange by widening Big Bend Road from a four-lane rural roadway to a six-lane urban highway. The junction’s interstate ramps will also be reconfigured.

When complete, Big Bend Road will consist of three 12-foot travel lanes in each direction separated by a raised, variable-width median with curb and gutter, as well as a closed drainage system.

“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,” states Brook Brookshire, senior vice president of Skanska’s civil infrastructure operations in Florida, in the release. “These roadway improvements will help ease traffic congestion and improve the driving experience for commuters and visitors in the region.”

The scope of the project also includes a new displaced left turn lane entrance ramp to I-75 northbound, 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.