APOLLO BEACH CONNECTOR

APOLLO BEACH FLYOVER CONNECTING U.S. HWY. 301 AND U.S. HWY. 41 NOW OPEN

By Sharon Still

Drivers in southern Hillsborough County have an easier commute now that the new Apollo Beach Flyover overpass, connecting U.S. Highway 41 in Apollo Beach to U.S. Highway 301 in Riverview is open. County leaders, including County Administrator Bonnie Wise and Hillsborough County Commissioner Mariela Smith (District 5 - countywide) gathered recently for a ribbon-cutting celebration.

“This is a real game changer,” said Smith. “It is just part of a larger network geared toward improving the quality of life in the area.”

The new Apollo Beach Flyover at Paseo al Mar Boulevard is an east-west alternative to drivers in southern Hillsborough County. It is a four-lane divided road over I-75 that is friendly to cars, pedestrians and bicyclists. The flyover will provide congestion relief for the Big Bend Road corridor to the north.

On the west side, Paseo al Mar Boulevard starts at U.S. Highway 41 and Apollo Beach Boulevard. The east side is accessible by U.S. Highway 301 south of Big Bend Road at Balm Road. “It cuts my travel time to my daughter’s house in half,” said Gwen Sinclair of Apollo Beach, whose daughter lives in the Belmont subdivision located of U.S Highway 301 South in Riv-

County ofcials celebrated the opening of the Apollo Beach Flyover erview. with a ribbon-cutting celebration. Bicyclists lined up with county Construction of ofcials to cut the ribbon, signifying the opening of the Apollo Flyover, a the extension took 18 much-needed road to help ease trafc congestion in southern Hillsbor- months, funded with ough County. $27 million provided by the county and the remaining, from private developers. “This would not have been made possible without the financial contribution of private developers,” Smith said. She explained that the project enhances Vision Zero principles with clearly marked bicycle lanes, 8 ft. sidewalks and accessibility in accordance with the American Disabilities Act. The Apollo Beach Flyover is the first of many needed improvements in the Big Bend Road and I-75 area. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is currently working on an $81.7 million project, including adding new entrance and exit ramps to Big Bend Road, increasing the number of turn lanes in multiple spots and rebuilding the Old Big Bend Road and Big Bend Road bridges. Residents interested in receiving construction updates, including nightly lane closures, can sign up on the FDOT website at www.fdottampabay.com; reference project 424513-3-52-01.

MEMBERS OF BOYS & GIRLS CLUB BECOME EDUCATED ON THE FBI

By Ella Martin

On July 7, the local FBI and SWAT team made visits to the middle school members of the Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay at Marshall Middle School in Plant City and Shields Middle School in Ruskin. The event was organized by the Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay community liaison, Ricky Gallon, along with the local FBI.

The Boys & Girls Club was founded 160 years ago, and its goal is to provide a safe and encouraging environment for children of all ages. The Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay has around 22,000 members and 22 clubs across Hillsborough and Pasco counties. At the event, middle schoolers got the amazing opportunity to interactively learn about what role the FBI plays in society.

Elizabeth Moriarty, community outreach specialist with the FBI’s Tampa Division, explained that the main purpose of the event was “to introduce youth to the FBI and explain that we work and live in the communities that we serve.”

The event at Plant City had around 95 members and in Ruskin it had around 65 members in attendance. Moriarty attended both events and spoke to middle school students about the FBI as well as agents that

live in the local community. She explained to the students what duties the FBI possess and acknowledge that these agents play a more local role than many think. After Moriarty’s presentation, the children were able to ask any additional questions they had. At the end of the visit, the student members were given the opportunity to try on FBI gear, which included a helmet and bulletproof vest. A student member of the Boys Gallon said that the & Girls Club of Tampa Bay FBI decided to do an ontrying on an FBI bulletproof site event at Marshall and vest. Shields Middle School because “the summer programming at Marshall and Shields Middle School focuses on educational and career aspirations.” This event was originally scheduled FBI agents talking to student members of the to be a field trip, but

Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay. due to the number of members who had interest in learning about the FBI, they accommodated and decided to make it an on-site event. Gallon added, “The youth and myself alike had a great time and learned a lot. I got a kick out of watching the youth trying on the vests.” Overall, this event was very successful and allowed all members of the Boys & Girls Club to expand their knowledge about the FBI while having fun.