About THEA

Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA)

As an independent agency of the state, the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) owns, maintains, and operates four facilities within Hillsborough County: the Selmon Expressway, the Brandon Parkway, Meridian Avenue, and the Selmon Greenway.

The agency is focused on driving innovation and improving mobility and safety throughout the Tampa Bay region. THEA partners with community organizations on everything from beautification to economic development to education and is committed to enhancing the community and activating urban spaces. THEA constructed the Selmon Greenway, a 1.7-mile multi-use trail that runs east-west under the Selmon Expressway through downtown Tampa and connects with the City’s Riverwalk and the Meridian Trail. Along Selmon Greenway, THEA has built a series of pocket parks with landscaping, benches, and artwork that enhances downtown Tampa’s esthetics, one of which is the award-winning Deputy Kotfila Memorial Dog Park. THEA is an agency committed to the progress and future of the Tampa Bay region.

All revenues collected on the Selmon Expressway stay here in Tampa and Hillsborough County, where we reinvest those dollars back into the community. We use our toll revenues to provide our region with a transportation system that provides regional connectivity to our residents and visitors.

THEA was established by the Florida Legislature in 1963 as a transportation option to bring roadway infrastructure projects online sooner using non-conventional funding. Since then we have led the charge in state-of-the-art transportation options on a local and national level.

In 2014, the state of Florida passed legislation giving THEA the ability to offer services to counties surrounding Hillsborough County, including Hardee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Polk. Just as THEA is a strong partner in providing innovative transportation solutions within Hillsborough County, we are committed to doing the same with these neighboring counties. Today, THEA has the ability to impact and shape local and regional mobility like never before.