Veterans Expressway Construction: What You Need to Know

When Carrollwood and Northdale motorists who use the Veterans Expressway hit the road next week they might notice some changes.

Construction on a 6-mile stretch of the expressway is set to begin on Sunday, April 21.

The widening project is expected to take more than a year and will go in phases. The $364.1 million project's goal is to decrease toll road congestion and provide more sound barriers for residents who live in the vicinity.

Here are more details about the project, according to the Florida Department of Transportation:

• The project will take the Veterans Expressway from four lanes to eight lanes.
• The first phase of construction will begin April 21 along Linebaugh Avenue to Gunn Highway.
• A week later construction will begin between Linebaugh Avenue to Waters Avenue.
• Two lanes of traffic in both directions will remain open during daytime hours.
• Most of the heavy construction will take place at night to minimize problems during rush hour.
• Later this year construction will begin on the Anderson Road ramps, including the eventual closure of the ramps to construct a flyover.
• The entire Veterans Expressway will be converted to electronic toll collection by mid 2014.

Do you think the Veterans needs to be 8 lanes? Share your thoughts in the comments section.