Tampa’s Selmon Expressway Rolls Out New Wrong-Way Safety Tech and Major Expansion

The Selmon Expressway is getting a major upgrade. Workers are installing cutting-edge safety tech while officials push forward a $362 million growth plan. The new system uses in-road lights, warning signals, and fiber networks to block wrong-way drivers.

Installation teams are putting special lights on expressway ramps. These lights catch drivers before they make dangerous mistakes. "Studies show that when drivers are going the wrong way, whether it's intoxication or other issues, they are likely looking down," said Judith Villegas, manager of the intelligent transportation system, according to Bay News 9.

The system uses multiple checks to protect drivers. Greg Slater, CEO of the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority, explained the process: "We'll have different levels of detection. Trigger some lights. Get their attention first so that they can self-correct. But then if they don't self-correct, it can notify the traffic management center or the message boards."

Extra care went into the reversible express lanes. Villegas pointed out a key issue: "Those have additional access points that may be confusing to those who don't use it too often. So we wanted to make sure we're enhancing those systems as well."

The safety upgrades are 50% complete. The full system should start working in early 2026.

In a separate move, the board approved the South Selmon Capacity Project. This will add new lanes across 4 miles of road. Workers will fix 26 bridges during construction.

The expansion starts in 2026. Officials haven't set an end date for the work yet.