The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) announced The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) as the winner of the 2019 Toll Excellence Award for Customer Service and Marketing Outreach. THEA garnered the international recognition for innovative excellence in community outreach during the construction of the Selmon West Extension.  

“THEA is honored to receive this international award and recognition. The indispensable work we do partnering with our community is a major pillar of our work. We recognize that for any construction project to be successful, we must have continuous transparent dialogue with those that it affects. We accept this award on behalf of the entire Tampa Bay community who have been so integral to this effort,” said Joe Waggoner, Executive Director and CEO of THEA.
“We are thrilled IBTTA is awarding THEA with the Toll Excellence Award for Customer Service and Marketing Outreach,” said Vincent J. Cassidy, THEA’s Board Chairman. “THEA is invested in the betterment of our community, and the communication’s team multi-faceted outreach effort exemplifies THEA’s commitment to the health and growth of our region.”
The Selmon West Extension is a 1.9-mile toll lane currently under construction in the median of Gandy Boulevard, which will give drivers the option to access Gandy Boulevard for local destinations or use the Selmon Extension for a direct connection to the Selmon Expressway or the Gandy Bridge.

THEA’s marketing and communications team worked hand-in-hand with members of the surrounding communities, and residents and business owners along the Gandy corridor to ensure all stakeholders were well-informed and involved before construction began. THEA’s team developed and executed a multifaceted local campaign that was innovative and community-centric. One initiative was Shop Gandy!, which was created to draw more customers to the businesses along the Gandy Blvd. corridor by using social media posts, earned media opportunities, and locally hosted events to help local businesses thrive during the construction of the Selmon Extension.
“Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority’s work on the Selmon Extension Project has led to greater engagement of the community in order to find creative solutions to help reduce congestion on Gandy Boulevard in Tampa while supporting businesses and residents,” said Patrick Jones, Executive Director and CEO of IBTTA. “This type of innovative solution and creative problem-solving through harnessing technological advancements and best practices are exactly what embodies a 2019 Toll Excellence Award winner. On behalf of the transportation community, we congratulate the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority on this well-deserved recognition.”
THEA along with the rest of this year’s Toll Excellence Award Winners will be honored during IBTTA’s 87th Annual Meeting & Exhibition that takes place on September 15-17, 2019 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.