Hillsborough County Sinks $2 Million Into Boat Ramp Improvements

RIVERVIEW, FL -- With more than 40,000 registered boats and easy access to Tampa Bay, major rivers, and the Gulf of Mexico, Hillsborough County is rightfully viewed as a boater’s paradise. All those boats, though, can be tough on public boat ramps and docks.

Hillsborough County will launch major improvements to numerous boat ramps this year, including several of the most popular. The work is intended to make the ramps, docks and parking lots safer, more accessible and more convenient to use.

Most of the work – nearly $2 million worth – is being funded through local boater registration fees. The projects will be overseen by Hillsborough County Conservation & Environmental Lands Management.

Among the improvements planned to begin this year:

• Williams Boat Ramp, 8749 U.S. 41 in Ruskin: Replace the west ramp, repair the east ramp and replace the fixed docks with floating docks that are handicapped accessible. It is the largest of the projects planned this year, and the work will require the ramp to be closed for four months. Work is expected to start later this spring or early summer.
• Ruskin Commongood Boat Ramp, 1106 1st Ave. N.W., Ruskin: Redo the ramp, tear out the old concrete docks, put in a new dock system and repair the seawall. Work expected to begin within six months.
• Alafia River Boat Ramp, 4104 Alafia Blvd., Brandon: Resurface parking lot, fix seawall. Project should begin within the next 12 months.
• Cockroach Bay Boat Ramp, 5299 Cockroach Bay Road, Ruskin: Stabilize shoulder for boat-trailer parking along Cockroach Bay Road and improve erosion control at kayak launch. Project should begin by late spring or early summer.
• Courtney Campbell Boat Ramp, 12030 Courtney Campbell W., Tampa: Reseal, restripe parking lot and replace floating docks. Work has begun and should be finished in the next two months.
• Domino Park Boat Ramp, 2201 8th St. SW, Ruskin: Replace pilings, install new decking. Work should begin within the next few months.
• Baker Creek Boat Ramp, 12095 Thonotosassa Road, Thonotosassa: Install boarding docks and add canoe launch. Work should begin by the end of the year.

Image via Hillsborough County