Thursday, March 20, 2008

Interstate 275 Southbound at Exit 26 (54 Av N) Alert!

If you are one of those motorists who use Interstate 275 southbound headed towards downtown St. Petersburg, south St. Petersburg or the Sunshine Skyway anytime soon during nighttime hours this blog entry is for you!

Beginning Monday evening, 24 March 2008 and continuing through Wednesday evening, 2 April 2008, workers will be repairing a steel beam which carries 54 Av N over Interstate 275. This is going to necessitate a closure of Interstate 275's southbound lanes at 54 Av N (Exit 26) and a detour, which can result in traffic backups and delays. The detour will be accomplished by having you exit at Exit 26 southbound just like if you were going to exit at 54 Av N. However, once you reach the traffic signal you will be directed into the far right lane once you make the turn onto 54 Av N and that will place you onto the entrance ramp for Interstate 275 southbound (this is the ramp that services eastbound 54 Av N traffic). Once you are back on Interstate 275 southbound you will be on your way!

When the detours are in effect, expect Florida Highway Patrol or other law enforcement agencies to be on hand to direct you through the interchange. As traffic backups may ensue due to the detour, please give your driving your 100% attention through the detour zone and that all important cell phone call can wait until you are in a safe place.

On the other hand, northbound Interstate 275 at 54 Av N will not be affected by the detour. However, traffic backups may ensue and using extreme caution while transiting Interstate 275 through the 54 Av N interchange (Exit 26) is highly encouraged. Moreover, if you are entering Interstate 275 southbound from 54 Av N westbound during the detour the ramp from westbound 54 Av N onto southbound Interstate 275 will be closed - instead, use 38 Av N (Exit 25) to enter Interstate 275 southbound.

The work on the steel bridge beam is needed due to a dump truck incident which happened earlier when Interstate 275 from the 62 Av N overpass to Gandy Blvd. (Exit 28) was being refurbished. From what I understand the dump truck was partially raised hitting the beam and the advance signage for 38 Av N which is mounted on the 54 Av N overpass. Speaking of the recent improvements to Interstate 275 just north of 54 Av N, the concrete pavement has been given a complete makeover and signage has been replaced. If you are one of those people who make this section of Interstate 275 part of your daily routine, you probably noticed the improvements; on the other hand, if you haven't been on Interstate 275 in St. Petersburg lately you owe it to yourself to take a little excursion to St. Petersburg on Interstate 275 and check it out.

By the way, you can see what Interstate 275 at Exit 26 (54 Av N) looks like from the comfort and convenience of your own computer simply by clicking on this link to go to that page at the St. Petersburg section of Interstate275Florida.com. While you're there, feel free to explore the rest of the exits in St. Petersburg or explore my other sections, such as Interstate 275 in Tampa, Interstate 75, Interstate 4 or our two major bridges, the Howard Frankland and the Sunshine Skyway.

So, please drive with caution when the detour on Interstate 275 at 54 Av N is in effect, as well as all the other construction zones on Interstate 275 including the exit to Tampa International Airport at Exit 39.