Interstate 275 Survey Results Hillsborough County, Florida

INTERSTATE 275 SURVEY RESULTS HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA

1 www.FloridaOpinionResearch.com @PFallonResearch All Materials and Intellectual Property ©2019 Florida Opinion Research Telephone interviews performed by specially-trained opinion research interviewers

Conducted with 401 randomly-selected adult residents residing in Hillsborough County, Florida, using a combination of valid residential, VOIP and cellular telephone listings

+/- 4.89% overall estimated margin of error, with a confidence interval of 9.78% within which the results can vary

May 13 – May 16, 2019

Data was stratified so that the differences in vital characteristics, such as age, race, gender and geography are represented in proportion to their percentages of estimates of the county’s adult population

Due to rounding, not all results add up to 100%, and the data is presented in a different order than the questions were asked

Unless otherwise noted, only statistically-significant differences that were outside the confidence interval for the overall estimated margin of sampling error have been reported in this presentation of key findings

Methods 2 www.FloridaOpinionResearch.com @PFallonResearch All Materials and Intellectual Property ©2019 Florida Opinion Research Opinion Environment 3 www.FloridaOpinionResearch.com @PFallonResearch All Materials and Intellectual Property ©2019 Florida Opinion Research Registered RIGHT DIRECTION SELECT KEY SUB-GROUP RESULTS The opinion environment was voters* a fairly placid one with little to 65 Not registered indicate that discontentment to vote* may have, in some way, been 54 tainting views of I-275 or City of Tampa proposed changes to it 73 County (- Tampa) 63 59

Men* 65

Women* 61

18 16 4

Right direction Wrong track Mixed (vol.) Unsure Would you say that Hillsborough County is going in the right direction, or has it gotten off onto the wrong track?

* Differences are not statistically significant Political Climate 4 www.FloridaOpinionResearch.com @PFallonResearch All Materials and Intellectual Property ©2019 Florida Opinion Research Nearly one-third of residents reported they

were frequent users for intra-county travel, 75

which indicates I-275 was viewed as a Hillsborough County critical mobility asset in Hillsborough 16 County, and many have a stake in its future Other counties Would you generally say that you travel on the portion of Interstate 275 that runs from NOTABLE SUB-GROUP RESULTS: 7 Mixed (vol.) downtown Tampa to Bearss 46% 18 to 44 Avenue mostly for travel within 42% African-Americans Hillsborough County or travel to 41% Hispanics Unsure 2 other nearby adjacent counties? 45% Other races 38% 2 to 5 miles from I-275 47 n=313 31 21

Frequently Occasionally Not at all Unsure How often do you travel on the portion of Interstate 275 that runs from downtown Tampa to Bearss Avenue for your work, commuting, personal errands or other needs? I-275 Usage 5 www.FloridaOpinionResearch.com @PFallonResearch All Materials and Intellectual Property ©2019 Florida Opinion Research VERY BIG SELECT KEY SUB-GROUP RESULTS Although frequent users appeared to 18 to 44* be most affected, prevalence of 52 45 to 64* perceptions of congestion were 56 65 and older* widespread and consistent sentiment 54 among most key segments of the Men community 48 Women 58 53 Less than 2 miles from I-275 73 More than 5 miles from I-275 49

29 Use I-275 frequently 69

8 10

Very big Somewhat Not a problem Unsure Generally speaking, how much of a problem would you say traffic congestion is on the portion of Interstate 275 that runs from downtown Tampa to Bearss Avenue? * Differences are not statistically significant Congestion 6 www.FloridaOpinionResearch.com @PFallonResearch All Materials and Intellectual Property ©2019 Florida Opinion Research The robust responses leave little room for ambiguity, as it appears that I-275 was viewed as an essential component of the County’s transportation infrastructure

Interstate 275 helps connect people to jobs and 94 43 opportunities?

Interstate 275 is a vital piece of the transportation 93 43 network that must be preserved?

Interstate 275 divides neighborhoods and is 29 56 17 detrimental to the people who live nearby it? Interstate 275 is not vitally important, because there are other roads that can get you where you17 79 4 need to go?

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Agree Disagree Unsure

Do you generally agree or disagree that…

General Sentiments 7 www.FloridaOpinionResearch.com @PFallonResearch All Materials and Intellectual Property ©2019 Florida Opinion Research The sentiment about adverse effects of I-275 was strongest among those residing in closest proximity, but did not garner a majority among any sub-group

AGREE BY AREA Disagree 56% Less than 2 miles to I-275: 38%

2 to 5 miles to I-275: 23%

Unsure 16% More than 5 miles to I-275: 28%

Agree 29%

Do you generally agree or disagree that…Interstate 275 divides neighborhoods and is detrimental to the people who live nearby it?

Results By Area 8 www.FloridaOpinionResearch.com @PFallonResearch All Materials and Intellectual Property ©2019 Florida Opinion Research Replacement & Improvement 9 www.FloridaOpinionResearch.com @PFallonResearch All Materials and Intellectual Property ©2019 Florida Opinion Research INFORMED AWARE SELECT KEY SUB-GROUP RESULTS Awareness of possible changes to I-275 was consistently low among all Men* 31 major segments of the community, 36 which means that views may change Women* as more specific information is learned Tampa* 32

65 County (-Tampa)* 34 33% Informed Less than 2 miles from I-275* 35 Awareness 2 to 5 miles from I-275* 31

More than 5 miles from I-275* 35 28 Use I-275 frequently* 32

5 1

A lot Some Nothing Unsure Plans and changes are being considered for the portion of Interstate 275 that runs through Hillsborough County from downtown Tampa to Bearss Avenue. How much news and information have you heard about this matter?

* Differences are not statistically significant Informed Awareness 10 www.FloridaOpinionResearch.com @PFallonResearch All Materials and Intellectual Property ©2019 Florida Opinion Research Support for the boulevard concept did not receive a majority with any sub-group and opposition was consistent, including among those who have heard the most Men* Oppose 62% SUPPORT SELECT KEY SUB-GROUP RESULTS Women* 26

Registered voters 31

Not registered to 30 vote Unsure 21 9% Use I-275 frequently (70% 26 Support opposed) 29% Informed/aware* 34

Would you support or oppose removing the section of Interstate 275 from downtown Tampa to Bearss Avenue…and replacing it with a boulevard connected to local streets and intersections…that would include dedicated lanes for public transit, bicycle and pedestrian paths, as well as landscaping and green space?

* Differences are not statistically significant Replace I-275 11 www.FloridaOpinionResearch.com @PFallonResearch All Materials and Intellectual Property ©2019 Florida Opinion Research The proposal did not garner a majority anywhere within the County, including, most notably, among those most proximal to the proposed site of the boulevard

SUPPORT BY AREA

Less than 2 miles to I-275: 34%* Tampa residents: 33%* Oppose 62% District 2: 16%

2 to 5 miles to I-275: 24%* District 1: 27%

More than 5 miles to I-275: 29%* Unsure 9% District 3: 40%

Support 29% District 4: 35% County (-Tampa): 27%* Would you support or oppose removing the section of Interstate 275 from downtown Tampa to Bearss Avenue…and replacing it with a boulevard connected to local streets and intersections…that would include dedicated lanes for public transit, bicycle and pedestrian paths, as well as landscaping and green space?

* Differences are not statistically significant Results By Area 12 www.FloridaOpinionResearch.com @PFallonResearch All Materials and Intellectual Property ©2019 Florida Opinion Research A plurality, including those who lived closest, appeared to be concerned about the effect it will have on their mobility and commuting

NOTABLE SUB-GROUP RESULTS: 39% Increased congestion on local streets 47% African-Americans 46% District 3 45% Informed/aware 28% The loss of vital routes for employment 44% Do not use I-275 and other travel needs

NOTABLE SUB-GROUP RESULTS: 7% Reduced public safety and evacuation 34% District 4 35% Less than 2 miles routes from I-275

21% Combination (vol.) 2% Other (vol.) 3% Unsure

Which of the following would you say is the biggest reason that you oppose removing Interstate 275? * Sub-group differences may not be statistically significant for this measure due to the structure of the Forced Choice Battery* question and multiplicity of values for the variables n=251 13 www.FloridaOpinionResearch.com @PFallonResearch All Materials and Intellectual Property ©2019 Florida Opinion Research Support for improving I-275 was exceptionally high and consistent, signaling that there is a clear mandate for steps to be taken 18 to 44 SUPPORT SELECT KEY SUB-GROUP RESULTS 45 to 64 90 Support 65 and older 88 84% Whites* 73

African-Americans* 85

Hispanics* 85 85 Other races* 79 Oppose Men* 86 10% Women* 82 Unsure Use I-275 frequently* 89 6% Not informed/aware 87

Would you support or oppose improving the section of Interstate 275 from downtown Tampa to Bearss Avenue…by adding more lanes…easier access to Interstate 4 …creating widened shoulders for public transit…as well as sound barrier walls for the benefit of the adjacent neighborhoods? * Differences are not statistically significant Improve I-275 14 www.FloridaOpinionResearch.com @PFallonResearch All Materials and Intellectual Property ©2019 Florida Opinion Research With support above 70 percent in every area, improving I-275 was a highly popular notion that residents appeared quite eager to embrace SUPPORT BY AREA

Less than 2 miles to I-275: 73% Tampa residents: 78%

District 2: 84%* Support 84%

2 to 5 miles to I-275: 87% District 1: 85%*

More than 5 miles to I-275: 86%

Oppose District 3: 75%* 10%

Unsure District 4: 90%* 6% County (-Tampa): 86% Would you support or oppose improving the section of Interstate 275 from downtown Tampa to Bearss Avenue…by adding more lanes…easier access to Interstate 4 …creating widened shoulders for public transit…as well as sound barrier walls for the benefit of the adjacent neighborhoods? * Differences are not statistically significant Results By Area 15 www.FloridaOpinionResearch.com @PFallonResearch All Materials and Intellectual Property ©2019 Florida Opinion Research The prospect of reducing congestion weighed most heavily in support of improving I-275, which could be expected given perceptions of congestion on it

NOTABLE SUB-GROUP RESULTS: 43% Relieve current traffic congestion 53% Hispanics 53% District 3 51% Less than 2 miles 34% Expand it to meet future needs as from I-275 growth occurs NOTABLE SUB-GROUP RESULTS: 40% Informed/aware 8% Increase public safety 46% African-Americans

14% Combination (vol.) 1% Unsure

Which of the following would you say is the biggest reason that you support improving Interstate 275? * Sub-group differences may not be statistically significant for this measure due to the structure of the Forced Choice Battery* question and multiplicity of values for the variables n=337 16 www.FloridaOpinionResearch.com @PFallonResearch All Materials and Intellectual Property ©2019 Florida Opinion Research Leaving little interpretation, the vast majority believed that the best way to improve transportation was a 2-pronged approach of better interstates and transit

79% To create a better transportation system, we NOTABLE SUB-GROUP RESULTS: should improve our interstates and also 83% Support improving I-275 72% Support replacing I-275 invest in transit options 83% I-275 congestion is very big problem 83% Use I-275 frequently 15% To create a better transportation system, we should stop spending any money on interstates and only invest in transit, instead

NOTABLE SUB-GROUP RESULTS: 37% Oppose improving I-275 4% Combination (vol.) 13% Oppose replacing I-275 0% No need to create better system (vol.) 22% I-275 congestion is not a problem 3% Unsure

Which opinion comes closest to your view?

* Sub-group differences may not be statistically significant for this measure due to Better System* the structure of the question and multiplicity of values for the variables 17 www.FloridaOpinionResearch.com @PFallonResearch All Materials and Intellectual Property ©2019 Florida Opinion Research Conclusion 18 www.FloridaOpinionResearch.com @PFallonResearch All Materials and Intellectual Property ©2019 Florida Opinion Research A hypothetical juxtaposition of the concepts showed that the public vastly preferred improving I-275 over a boulevard and most wanted something done, rather than nothing

VERSION A: Removing the section of Interstate 275 from downtown Tampa to Bearss Avenue and replacing it with a 8 80 4 8 boulevard…or…improving 11 miles of Interstate 275?

VERSION B: Removing the section of Interstate 275 from downtown Tampa to Bearss Avenue and replacing it with a boulevard…or…improving 11 miles of Interstate 275…or do 6 66 23 6 nothing and leave it as it is?

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Replace Improve Do nothing Unsure

Supposing for a moment that you could choose, would you prefer…

* The response option “Do nothing and leave it as it is” was not explicitly offered Split Sample Testing* in Version A 19 www.FloridaOpinionResearch.com @PFallonResearch All Materials and Intellectual Property ©2019 Florida Opinion Research In regards to impact on voters, the issue appears to make little difference to most voters in how they view elected officials who support improving I-275

MORE OR LESS LIKELY SELECT KEY SUB-GROUP RESULTS

More likely Less likely No difference 59% 31 28 32 31 Unsure 6% 4 5 7 3

Less likely Regsitered Not registered to Tampa* County (- 4% voters* vote* Tampa)*

42 35 26 29 More likely 9 31% 1 4 3 Support Less than 2 miles 2 to 5 miles from More than 5 improving I-275* from I-275 I-275 miles from I-275

Supposing for a moment that an elected official representing your area voted to improve Interstate 275, would you be more or less likely to re-elect him or her, or would it make no difference in your decision? * Differences are not statistically significant Electoral Implications 20 www.FloridaOpinionResearch.com @PFallonResearch All Materials and Intellectual Property ©2019 Florida Opinion Research QUESTIONS?