Riverview/Apollo Beach
6 C E L E B R A T I N G
October 2020 Volume 18, Issue 10 Ph: 657-2418 1 8
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Apollo Beach Nature Preserve Reopens With New Tower & New Way To See Tampa Bay
Federal $25 Million Grant To Help Pay For Big Bend Road/I-75 Interchange Improvements
One of Ross SouthShore’s most Dickerson popular spots to works for enjoy sunshine and Hillsborough nature in a waterfront County setting has reopened Conservation & after closing in March Environmental to help mitigate the Lands spread of the coronManagement, avirus and to comwhich is Apollo Beach Nature Preserve has reopened responsible for plete a $360,000 with a new 37-foot, ADA-compliant tower that improvement project. allows everyone to get a bird’s-eye view of the site. He said Tampa Bay to the west and wildlife to the The Apollo the project has east. Beach Nature turned out well Preserve, which and that “It’s more reopened on than we thought it September 9, has been would be, it’s fanattracting crowds to its tastic.” dog-friendly, 2-acre Dickerson beach and view of Tampa Bay for years, added that ensuring everyone can get to and now visitors can get a better look at the top of the tower has been appreciatthe scenery by going to the top of a 37ed by visitors. “We’ve had several peofoot observation tower that is the center- ple that have told us that they were not piece of the upgrade. It’s an experience able to get to the top of other observaeveryone, of all levels of mobility, can tion towers in Hillsborough County and enjoy with the use of a wide, ADA-comthat they were so excited to be able to pliant ramp instead of a stairway as part get up there,” he said. of the tower’s design. Besides the tower, the project Besides landmarks like the Skyway includes a new picnic pavilion, refurbishBridge and the urban skylines of Tampa ment of the sea wall and improved eroand St. Petersburg, visitors ascending sion control. the tower will also get a bird’s-eye view Even though the Apollo Beach at the Southwest Florida Water Nature Preserve is reopened, there are Management District’s wetland restorarestrictions in effect. Because of the tion to the east that provides habitat for county’s response to the coronavirus wildlife, including birds, manatees and pandemic, all pavilions are closed until dolphins, within the estuary’s maze of further notice and parking is limited to 50 mangrove and water. percent of the paved lot’s spaces. Also, The preserve also has restrooms, no more than 10 people are permitted to picnic pavilions and hiking trails. While be on the tower at a time. swimming is not allowed because of Apollo Beach Nature Preserve is strong currents, activities like fishing, located at 6760 Surfside Blvd. in Apollo kite-flying and bird-watching are popular Beach and is open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 among visitors. p.m.
cies and advocates to develop policy and solutions for residents, and she said in a press release that this new funding will help pave the way to easier commutes and improved safety for the growing number of people moving to the area. “Our goal is to create a safe and A project to improve conditions at the I-75 interchange at Big Bend Rd. received a $25 million federal grant to help pay for it. enhanced travel Tucked away on Tampa Bay’s eastexperience for residents and employees ern edge in Southern Hillsborough in the SouthShore region by addressing County, residents of Apollo Beach and the congestion and safety deficiencies nearby communities rely on major roads that currently exist on Big Bend Rd. and like I-75 to access work and recreation at the I-75 interchange, and the grant will beyond the SouthShore area. Growth in help us achieve this vision.” people and cars has made it difficult at Hillsborough County officials have peak traffic times to get on, or even off, identified the Big Bend Rd. corridor as the interstate highway at Big Bend Rd., one of the area’s most dangerous, citing but a $25 million federal Better Utilizing the large increase in traffic volume and Investment to Leverage Development drivers’ failure to properly yield to right(BUILD) grant will help pay for modificaof-way traffic as the major factors in tions to the interchange that officials say accidents and say that the changes will will improve the situation. improve the situation. The grant will help pay for what is called the I-75/Big Bend Road Mobility and Access Project. Changes include In This reconstructing the interchange ramps as Issue well as widening a 2-mile section of Big Bend Rd. from four lanes to six, with bicycle lanes and multi-use paths as part of the design. The stop-sign controlled intersection of Old Big Bend Rd. and Bullfrog Creek Rd. will be changed to a traffic roundabout with new traffic signals, lighting and stormwater drainage systems installed where needed within the project footprint, which extends from from Covington Gardens Dr. to Simmons Section 3 Loop. The total cost of the project is about $91.9 million, with construction scheduled to begin in late 2021 and CHILDREN’S GASPARILLA..........PG 4 completing in 2024. NEW WATER PUMP STATION .PG 9 County Commissioner Sandra Murman works with transportation agenEYE ON BUSINESS...................PG 25-26
By Brad Stager
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By Brad Stager
EventFest, Inc. and Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla have announced that advanced-sale, reserved tickets are on sale now for the 2021 Children’s Gasparilla presented by Chick-fil-A Tampa Bay and the Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest, Gasparilla Invasion Brunch and Gasparilla Parade of Pirates on Saturday, January 23. See full story on Page 4.
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