Costs billions of dollars? Check. Conceived of decades ago? Check. Disproportionally benefits people with money? Check. Constructing it displaces a historic neighborhood with minority families who have lived there for generations? Check!!! The Tampa Bay Express (aka TBX or “Lexus Lanes”) is an impending construction project that will widen parts of I-275, creating toll lanes for people willing to pay a little more so they can get to where they’re going a couple of minutes faster. The many, many opponents of this project say widening roads is not going to solve gridlock, but maybe — just maybe — expanded public transit and a little of the ol’ changing-our-lifestyles-so-we’re-not-so-damned-reliant-on-cars might. —KB
This article appears in Best of The Bay 2016.
