Tampa To Build Separated Bike Lanes on Morgan Street for Safer Cycling

Tampa will construct separated bike lanes on Morgan Street, stretching from Brorein Street to Harrison Street. The $500,000 effort kicks off construction later this year. City officials gathered Wednesday night to share details with residents.

The work targets better connections for cyclists heading to major city destinations. Construction might begin within six months of the meeting date, project leaders told attendees.

"Safety will be better," said Paula Flores of Walk Bike Tampa, according to WTSP. "I'm a huge hockey fan, so it provides another way to get to some of these venues."

Officials selected Morgan Street because building separated bike lanes on a less crowded street brings advantages to cyclists while leaving drivers on busier roads unaffected. The lanes will offer a different route for people traveling by bicycle through this section of town.

Walk Bike Tampa has participated in planning. Flores pointed out the lanes will open up new choices for residents who want to reach local spots by bike.

The meeting gave residents a chance to learn about the work and pose questions. Tampa officials shared information about when construction would happen and how the bike lane system would look.

The separated lanes will span the entire stretch from Brorein Street to Harrison Street. Officials picked this section of Morgan Street because it carries fewer cars than other nearby roads.

Project leaders anticipate the work starting sometime during the second half of this year. The exact start date remains unfinalized, but the six-month window from the Wednesday meeting suggests construction beginning around late summer or early fall.

The $500,000 budget pays for the complete installation of separated bike infrastructure. These lanes will be physically separated from vehicle traffic, giving cyclists more protection than traditional painted bike lanes.