New Tampa I-75 Widening Way Ahead Of Schedule

By Matt Wiley

Although it may be holding up the completion of the Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. widening from Pebble Creek Blvd. in New Tampa south to Palm Springs Blvd. in Tampa Palms, the I-75 widening project between Fowler Ave. and S.R. 56 actually is ahead of schedule โ€” unlike the widening of I-75 between S.R. 54 &โ€ˆS.R. 56.

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 7 spokesman John McShaffrey says that the $95-million project, which Prince Contracting, LLC, began in October 2011 to widen the 11.4-mile section of the interstate from four lanes to six lanes โ€” and eight lanes near the interchanges โ€” is cruising right along.

โ€œThe whole project is well ahead of schedule,โ€ McShaffrey explains. โ€œIf you go by (Princeโ€™s) schedule, theyโ€™re more than 500 days ahead. It looks very likely that they are going to finish that job early, depending on how much rain we get.โ€

And, part of that project includes the new, widened overpasses above BBD, which could now be open to traffic in both directions in late November to early December, McShaffrey says.

โ€œAfter that happens, (Prince) will take the temporary bridge out and do all of the BBD widening underneath,โ€ McShaffrey explains. โ€œThereโ€™s a lot that canโ€™t be done (for the widening of BBD) right now because of the location of the support structures for the existing temporary bridge.โ€

I-75 Bridge Work Above BBD More Than 500 Days Ahead Of Schedule

By Matt Wiley

Construction is ahead of schedule on the I-75 widening project between Fowler Ave. and S.R. 56.
Construction is ahead of schedule on the I-75 widening project between Fowler Ave. and S.R. 56.

Although it may be holding up the completion of the Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. widening from Pebble Creek Blvd. in New Tampa south to Palm Springs Blvd. in Tampa Palms, the I-75 widening project between Fowler Ave. and S.R. 56 actually is ahead of schedule.

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 7 spokesman John McShaffrey says that the $95-million project, which Prince Contracting, LLC, began in October 2011 to widen the 11.4-mile section of the interstate from four lanes to six lanes โ€” and eight lanes near the interchanges โ€” is cruising right along.Continue reading

Tucker Neuhaus Signs With MLBโ€ˆBrewers

By Gary Nager

Tucker โ€œTuckโ€โ€ˆNeuhaus
Tucker โ€œTuckโ€โ€ˆNeuhaus

Although Iโ€ˆdidnโ€™t yet have all the details at our press time, Iโ€ˆwas told that 17-year-old 2013 Wharton High grad Tucker โ€œTuckโ€โ€ˆNeuhaus had signed an offer with Major League Baseballโ€™s Milwaukee Brewers.

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New Tampa Burger King Robbed at Gunpoint

By Matt Wiley | NEW TAMPA

Itโ€™s never a good idea to open the door for strangers, as a manger at New Tampaโ€™s Burger King (in the Trout Creek area) has learned the hard way.

A masked gunman enters the New Tampa Burger King on July 24.
A masked gunman enters the New Tampa Burger King on July 24.

According to the Tampa Police Department (TPD), just after midnight on July 24, the store manager of the New Tampa Burger King, located at 20590 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., just north of Burger 21, heard the buzzer coming from the rear door just after closing.

TPD reports that the manager thought the person at the door was a member of a maintenance crew, and opened the door to a man loading a semi-automatic pistol.Continue reading

Bella Mia Hair Designs Can Help You Make An 'Informed' Hair Decision

By Bonnie Mason

The professional stylists of Bella Mia Hair Designs.
The professional stylists of Bella Mia Hair Designs.

Tired of the same old look? Abby Harris, the owner of Bella Mia Hair Designs, and her team of stylists have the knowledge and experience to give you the best cut and style to complement your features and fit your lifestyle. Whether itโ€™s a classic look like the โ€œbob,โ€ one of the latest outrรฉ styles or an ombre hair color technique (where hair is colored lighter at the bottom and darker at the top), the pro stylists at Bella Mia Hair Designs, conveniently located in the Publix-anchored New Tampa Center shopping plaza on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., at BBDโ€™s intersection with New Tampa/Cross Creek Blvd.

Abby Harris purchased Bella Mia Hair Designs nearly six years ago. The salonโ€™s previous name was The Bostonian and Harris was a stylist there for 8 years.

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