Author Archive

The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) commissioned the University of South Florida’s Center for Urban Transportation (CUTR) to provide insight into the Selmon Expressway’s economic impact through the Expressway’s network of properties. The network of properties studied included the Selmon Expressway, the Meridian Parkway, the Selmon Greenway, and the Brandon Parkway. Since its inception in […]

The Reversible Express Lanes (REL), part of the Selmon Expressway network, are a unique system of roads designed to help decrease urban traffic in the Tampa Bay area. It is the first transportation project in Florida to utilize fully electronic tolls (all-electronic tolling), innovations with concrete segmental bridges, and reversible express lanes. When THEA unveiled […]

THEA plans to make multiple improvements and countermeasures to the South Selmon Expressway area (Himes Avenue to Whiting Street) to improve overall safety and mobility for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. THEA worked with the City of Tampa to determine the safety and operational needs for this area. As a result, the South Selmon Expressway Project […]

The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) has been conducting four Project Development and Environment (PD&E) studies to evaluate the best way that our agency can be a part of improving mobility in the Tampa Bay region and provide transportation solutions to accommodate the population growth. Working with community partners like the City of Tampa, SPP, […]

The Selmon Greenway is an urban green spine running through the heart of downtown Tampa. It is dotted with pocket parks, has a wide paved path, and is well lit. The Greenway connects the Tampa neighborhoods of Ybor City, Channelside, and the up-and-coming Water Street with the Riverwalk. Enjoy your day on the Greenway with […]

Driven to Make a Difference For the past 14 years, Joe Waggoner has served as Executive Director/CEO of THEA, positioning our dynamic agency as a regional transportation leader offering innovative mobility solutions to the Tampa Bay community.  When Joe came to Tampa Bay from Maryland in 2007, the agency was recovering from a major construction […]

Since 2015, our agency has been involved in studying connected vehicle (CV) technology through the THEA CV Pilot. Connected vehicles communicate with each other and with infrastructure technology to send safety alerts to vehicle drivers. For instance, a driver might get a safety warning to slow down due to danger ahead. The USDOT estimates that […]

Tampa, Fla. (January 10, 2022) – The Tampa Hillsborough County Expressway Authority (THEA) has selected Mr. Greg Slater as its next Executive Director and CEO. Mr. Slater will begin work on February 1, 2022. Mr. Slater has over two decades of public service, most recently serving as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT). At […]

With the advent of smartphones, driving distractions have never been more tempting. Checking social media, replying to an email, or calling to book an appointment, can be done from anywhere. But please, DO NOT DO THEM WHEN DRIVING!  When driving, these simple distractions can significantly increase the likelihood of a crash, putting you and others […]

The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) is proud to announce that the Selmon West Extension has been honored with 12 awards from 2021 – 2022. The elevated 1.9-mile toll lane opened in April 2021, providing a vital connection for Hillsborough and Pinellas commuters. It has since been recognized for its design, function, and outreach efforts […]