By Breanne Williams – Reporter, Tampa Bay Business Journal


Two ramps to Interstate 275 will be closed for the next several months as part of a $340 million widening project in Pinellas County.

Beginning on the evening of April 9, the Florida Department of Transportation will close the ramps at the 54th Avenue N interchange. The closures will impact the southbound I-275 exit 26 ramp to 54th Avenue and the westbound 54th Avenue N entrance ramp onto southbound I-275.

The ramps will be closed for reconstruction for “at least several months,” according to FDOT and are expected to reopen in the summer or fall. Detours will be in place to direct drivers onto and off the interstate, but drivers should prepare to add extra time to their journeys while the ramps are closed.
 

Instead of taking Exit 26, drivers heading southbound on I-275 should travel to Exit 25, which will take you toward 38th Avenue N. At the bottom of the ramp, turn right to go west on 38th Avenue N, then turn right again onto U.S. Highway 19, aka 34th Street N, and head north toward 54th Avenue N.

For those wanting to enter southbound I-275, continue west on 54th Avenue N and pass the closed entrance ramp. Turn left at U.S. 19 and head south, then turn left onto 38th Avenue N and head east toward the entrance ramp onto the interstate.

The massive widening project is part of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative. The project spans 7.5 miles and will offer significant capacity improvements along the roadway, which is a key evacuation route and a major commuter artery within Tampa Bay.

Construction began in August and is expected to be complete in 2030. Tampa-based AtkinsRéalis is the oversight manager, and Prince Contracting is the project contractor.

It will add two tolled express lanes in each direction to I-275 from north of 38th Avenue N to south of Gandy Boulevard, and one tolled express lane in each direction from south of Gandy Boulevard to north of Fourth Street N. The project will also upgrade multiple intersections and build noise barriers along a portion of the route.

There will be a 12-foot shared-use path along the north side of S.R. 688, or Ulmerton Road, from Fountain Parkway N to west of I-275. The trail will ultimately connect to the multi-use path being built as part of the new Howard Frankland Bridge project.

The speed limit was lowered to 55 mph along a portion of this project and on the Howard Frankland Bridge, which connects Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.