The I-4 Wildlife Crossing plays an important role in restoring the area's wildlife connections.
I-4 Wildlife Crossing design Future extensions
As part of the approved 1998 Environmental Assessment for I-4 from the Hillsborough County Line to the Osceola County Line, the Florida Department of Transportation (or FDOT) committed to three wildlife crossings: two near the Green Swamp and one near the Tenoroc Fish Management Area. The I-4 wildlife crossing provides the missing connection in the vicinity of the Tenoroc Fish Management Area.
In order to identify the best wildlife crossing location, FDOT coordinated with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. As a result, the preferred location is 1.6 miles northeast of the I-4/State Road 33 interchange as a bridge over I-4.
Future projects are being planned for a wildlife crossing under State Road 33 (to the north of this project), and potentially signing enhancements or an underpass under University Boulevard (to the south of this project).