New Gateway Expressway Will Open Friday
The new gateway Expressway that has been under construction for many years is scheduled to open this Friday, April 26. This is welcome news as it will provide direct connections between US 19 and I-275. Additionally, it will connect the Bayside Bridge north of 49th St. north and I-275. Those that drive these roads in Pinellas County will help their daily commute.
These connections as a part of the new Gateway Expressway to I-275 are tolled roadways. The two connections will have four lanes. I-275 also has been widened to create express lanes one that will go in each direction. Those will go from south of Gandy Boulevard to 4th St., North. This project started back in 2017.
This new Gateway Expressway will be a relief for drivers and hopefully make traffic not as busy.
Other Improvements Around The New Gateway Expressway
This is according to the Florida Department of Transportation’s website.
- Rebuilding existing Roosevelt Boulevard from the Bayside Bridge to Ulmerton Road as generally two one-way surface roads including a new access configuration and roads for the St. Pete-Clearwater International (PIE) Airport terminal.
- Repaving 118th Avenue North from US 19 to 31st Court North.
- Repairing or rebuilding sections of existing US 19 and 118th Avenue North including new ramps and bridges.
- Repaving the eastbound off-ramp from SR 690 to southbound I-275.
Work located in front of the St. Pete-Clearwater International (PIE) Airport included:
- Building a new airport access road parallel to Roosevelt Blvd, new airport ponds, new signalized intersection at Terminal Boulevard, and a permanent connection at Fairchild Drive.
Other Road Construction Projects Happening In Tampa Bay
Malfunction Junction in Tampa will get a new flyover bridge from I-275 southbound to I-4 eastbound will be coming. The bad news is that crews will be working on this new flyover bridge through 2027. Work will begin on the bridge beginning in 2024. So, be prepared for extra construction starting soon. In addition to the flyover ramp, the FDOT will also be widening lanes on I-275 both northbound and southbound. Those new lanes will go all the way north to Hanna Avenue.
FDOT officials said by the end of 2025, the new Howard Frankland Bridge will be complete and we can start driving over it. The new bridge will consist of eight lanes; four general-use lanes, (Tampa to St. Petersburg) and four Express lanes. Two lanes from the St. Petersburg side toward Tampa, two lanes from the Tampa side toward St. Petersburg. In addition, a bicycle/pedestrian pathway separated from the roadway will is also included.
FDOT is adding a lane to both the southbound and the northbound directions of I-75. This will be between the Tampa Bypass Canal and Fowler Avenue. So, here is what is going to be done, the bridges over the canal and Harney Road will be widened. Additionally, the bridge structures that go over 301 will be replaced. FDOT says construction is anticipated to begin in 2024.
Photo By: Florida Department of Transportation
Photo By: Florida Department of Transportation
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