Any driver in the Tampa area will confirm that traffic is outrageous. Though the reports vary, Tampa has been continually ranked in the top 25 congested cities in the nation. As of January of this year, Tampa has been ranked as the 24th most congested city in North America by INRIX, a company that tracks traffic patterns in the northern hemisphere and Europe. A study conducted by the Texas Transportation Institute, comparing years from 1982 through 2007, ranked the Tampa Bay area 11th overall — tied with Miami — for worst congestion. A new report on traffic congestion using data from motorists’ GPS devices shows Tampa has some of the worst rush hour congestion in North America.

Charlie Haueter, a teacher here at Freedom High School, remarks, “I hate getting here in the dark, and driving behind that 20 mph scooter every day.”

An article from the Tampa Bay Times estimated, “drivers in the bay area spend an average of 47 hours a year — more than a work week — stuck in traffic”. Drivers in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area also spend twice as much time in congestion as they did 20 years ago. According to an international navigation device and traffic information provider, TomTom, Tampa ranked fifth on the North American Congestion Index. This rank is generated by comparing travel times during non-congested periods with travel times in peak hours. Tampa commutes averaged 25 percent longer during rush hour than when traffic moved freely.

English teacher Erin Smith reports, “I’m leaving earlier and getting here later.”

Construction at both the local and highway level is also a large barrier in arriving to work and school in a timely manner. According to the Florida Department of Transportation website, the widening on I-75 from Fowler Avenue to State Road 56 is estimated to be completed in the spring of 2016.

Florida Department of Transportation does not offer much helpful information.

Even faculty member Arthur Roberts mentions, “It’s incredibly difficult to navigate their website.” Attempting to find the estimated times of completion for local construction, especially on Bruce B. Downs, is a nightmare.

However, Mr. Heverly offers some sobering advice, “move to Temple Terrace, traffic from the South is fine.”

FSA Connection Questions

1. What information, if added, could best support the author’s purpose?
2. Which word from the article is a synonym for declare?
3. What is implied by the author with the following statement? “Florida Department of Transportation does not offer much helpful information.”
4. Which sentence from the passage contains an opinion?
5. What is the author’s main purpose in writing this article?