After splitting from Interstate 75 near the Pasco-Hillsborough County Line, Interstate 275 passes through 7.3 miles with no exits before reaching Exit 53, Junction Florida 678/Bearrs Avenue; Exit 52, Junction Florida 579/Hillsborough County Route 582A (Fletcher Avenue); Exit 51, Florida 582 (Fowler Avenue); and Exit 50, Busch Avenue. There is no access from southbound Interstate 275 to Bird Street (Exit 49). The following exit along southbound is Exit 48, Junction Hillsborough County Route 598, Sligh Avenue. Photo taken 12/23/03.
Southbound Interstate 275 reaches Exit 48, Junction Hillsborough County Route 598, Sligh Avenue. The next exit along southbound is Exit 47, Junction U.S. 92/Hillsborough Avenue to Southbound U.S. 41. Photo taken 12/23/03.
Southbound Interstate 275 reaches Exit 47, Junction U.S. 92 (Hillsborough Avenue). Use U.S. 92 east to reach Florida 45 (Nebraska Avenue) south and U.S. 41 (40th Street) south. Note the use of "Thru Traffic" on the pull-through sign. Photo taken 12/23/03.
The next three exits along southbound are Exit 46B, Junction Florida 574, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard; Exit 46A, Floribraska Avenue; and Exit 45B, Junction Interstate 4 east to Orlando, with connections to Interstate 75 south to Naples. Only Exit 45B is shown on this advance sign, well before signage for Exits 46B or 46A. Photo taken 12/23/03.
Southbound Interstate 275 reaches Exit 46B, Junction Florida 574, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. Use Florida 574 west to Hillsborough Community College, Raymond James Stadium, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Practice Facility, and Legends Field. Legends Field is the spring training location for Major League Baseball's American League New York Yankees. Photo taken 12/23/03.
The next exit along southbound is Exit 46A, Floribraska Avenue, followed by the connection to eastbound Interstate 4 en route to Orlando. Photo taken 12/23/03.
Southbound Interstate 275 reaches Exit 46A, Floribraska Avenue. There is no access to Exit 46A from northbound. Floribraska is so named because it connects Business U.S. 41/Florida 685 (Florida Avenue) west of Interstate 275 with U.S. 41/Florida 45 (Nebraska Avenue) to the east of Interstate 275. Photo taken 12/23/03.
The old signbridge (left photobox) is shadowed by its replacement sign bridge (right photobox). The next exit along southbound Interstate 275 is Exit 45B, Junction Interstate 4 east to Interstate 75; east of that interchange, Interstate 4 crosses the Florida peninsula from southwest to northeast, connecting Tampa with Plant City, Lakeland, Kissimmee, Orlando, Sanford, DeLand, and Daytona Beach. Staying within the state of Florida, Interstate 4 ends at Interstate 95 in Daytona Beach. Photos taken 08/22/02 and 12/23/03.
This photo shows the original advance signage for Exit 45A (former Exit 26), which has since been removed in favor of the signage seen in the following photoboxes. Immediately after the Interstate 4 interchange (Exit 45B/Former Exit 27), southbound Interstate 275 reaches the downtown Tampa ramp at Exit 45A (former Exit 25), which connects to North Jefferson Street. Photo taken 12/00.
Southbound Interstate 275 turns southeast as it passes under the downtown Interstate 4/Interstate 275 interchange. Within that interchange complex is the ramp for Exit 45A, which connects Interstate 275 with downtown Tampa via Jefferson Street. Photo taken 12/23/03.
As the freeway enters the Downtown Interchange with Interstate 4, southbound Interstate 275 is under construction. One noticeable change is the sign bridge and signage for Exit 45A, as evidenced in these signs (new and old). First photo taken 12/23/03; second photo taken 08/22/02.
The next exit along southbound Interstate 275 is Exit 44 (former Exit 25), Tampa downtown west/Ashley Drive and Tampa Street exit. This is not to be confused with "downtown east," which is the connection to downtown via Jefferson Street. Photo taken 12/23/03.
Southbound Interstate 275 reaches Exit 44, Tampa downtown west/Ashley Drive and Tampa Street exit. Photo taken 12/00.
Once on the exit ramp to Ashley Drive and Tampa Street, the left two lanes connect directly onto southbound Tampa Street to Channelside Drive. Channelside Drive attractions include the Tampa Convention Center, St. Petersburg Times Forum (arena), Florida Aquarium, and Garrison Cruise Ship Terminals. Use Ashley Drive south to riverfront attractions such as the Tampa Library, Tampa Museum of Art, and Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Photo taken 12/23/03.
Southbound Interstate 275 approaches Exit 42, Howard Avenue and Armenia Avenue; Exit 41C, Himes Avenue; and Exit 40B, U.S. 92. The Himes Avenue ramps were built specifically for the 1984 Super Bowl. Since construction ran late, the ramp were not finished until after the 1984 Super Bowl was finished. Photo taken 12/00.
After the Howard Avenue/Armenia Avenue interchange (Exit 42), the next exit along southbound Interstate 275 is Exit 41C (former Exit 23C), Himes Avenue. The following interchange is Exits 41A-B, U.S. 92 (Dale Mabry Avenue). Interstate 275 parallels U.S. 92 west of the junction with Interstate 4. Photo taken 12/00.
The next exit along southbound Interstate 275 after the U.S. 92/Dale Mabry Highway interchange (Exits 41A-B) is Exit 40B, Lois Avenue, followed by Exit 40A, Westshore Boulevard and Exit 39, Junction Florida 60 (west to north Florida Toll 589/Veterans Expressway). Photo taken 12/00.
While crossing the Howard Frankland Bridge, southbound Interstate 275 leaves the city of Tampa and Hillsborough County and enters the city of Pinellas Park in Pinellas County. The freeway initially angles southwest, but it turns due south after Exit 28. The first exit in Pinellas County is Exit 32, a partial "Y" interchange with Florida 687 (4th Street North). Florida 687 begins here and heads southward to junction U.S. 92 (Gandy Boulevard), Florida 686 (Roosevelt Boulevard) west, and Florida 694 (Gandy Boulevard) west. Photo taken 07/30/06.
Departing next is the Exit 31 off-ramps to both Florida 688 (Ulmerton Road) west and Pinellas County 803 (Martin Luther King Jr. Street) south. Florida 688 begins at Exit 31 and travels west briefly to its merge with Florida 686 (Roosevelt Boulevard) near St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport and Largo. Martin Luther King Jr. Street (9th Street North) provides a four-lane route leading south through St. Petersburg toward downtown. Pinellas County 803 is signed loosely along the northern portion of the route. Photo taken 07/30/06.
A two-lane ramp leaves Interstate 275 southbound for Exit 31. Exit 31 partitions into directional ramps for Florida 688 (Ulmerton Road) westbound to Largo, Pinellas Park, and Indian Rocks Beach and for Martin Luther King Jr. Street southbound to St. Petersburg. Florida 688 provides connectons to Florida 686 (Roosevelt Boulevard) west to the airport and Clearwater. Note the omission of "St" for Martin Luther King Jr. on these Exit 31 overheads. Photo taken 07/30/06.
, followed by Exits 31B-A, 9th Street North southbound and Florida 688/Ulmerton Road westbound; Exit 30, Junction Florida 686, Roosevelt Boulevard and Pinellas County Route 296/118th Avenue; and Exit 28, Junction Florida 694, Gandy Boulevard. Photo taken 12/23/03.
Florida 694 is the most direct route from the western approach of the U.S. 92/Gandy Bridge to Interstate 275 in Pinellas Park. Gandy Boulevard is a semi-freeway between U.S. 19 and U.S. 92, but it has traffic signals at several interchanges, including this one with Interstate 275. Note that there is only one transition ramp onto Florida 694 west; there is no access to eastbound Florida 694. Photo taken 12/23/03.
Southbound Interstate 275 reaches Exit 28, Junction Florida 694, Gandy Boulevard west to Pinellas Park and U.S. 19 and Pinellas County Route 689 (Haines Road). Photo taken 12/23/03.
After the Florida 694 interchange, southbound Interstate 275 leaves Pinellas Park and enters the city of St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg is the fourth largest city in Florida, with 248,232 people as of the 2000 Census and 60.9 square miles. The first St. Petersburg exit is Exit 26, 54th Avenue North. Photo taken 12/23/03.
The next exit along southbound Interstate 275 is Exit 25 (former Exit 13), 38th Street, one mile. Photo taken 06/05/04.
Thirty-eighth Avenue North serves Collidge Park to the west and Allendale Terrace to the east. It forms part of the St. Petersburg street grid system. Photo taken 12/23/03.
The right lane exits only onto 38th Avenue North, while the three left lanes continue south toward downtown St. Petersburg and the Sunshine Skyway. Photo taken 12/23/03.
The next exit along southbound Interstate 275 is Exit 24, 22nd Avenue North, one mile. Photo taken 12/23/03.
The next four exits along southbound are Exit 24, 22nd Avenue North; Exit 23B, Junction Florida 595/5th Avenue; Exit 23A, Junction Interstate 375/North Bay Drive east; and Exit 22, Junction Interstate 175/South Bay Drive east. Photo taken 12/23/03.
This diagrammatical sign shows that the connection to Interstate 375 (Exit 23A) is a left exit, with the left two lanes exiting onto Interstate 375. The three right lanes continue south on Interstate 275. Note the change in control city to Bradenton (some signs also use the control city of "Skyway" or "Sunshine Skyway.") Photo taken 12/23/03.
Florida 595 is a major route through Pinellas County. It originates at the intersection of 4th Street North (Florida 687/U.S. 92) and 5th Avenue North, and it assumes the backing role for Alternate U.S. 19 west to Tyrone Boulevard, Bay Pines Boulevard, and Seminole Boulevard north to Largo. Photo taken 12/23/03.
A second diagrammatical sign is placed here for the pending split between Interstate 275 and Interstate 375 (Exit 23A). The next exit is a right exit for Florida 595 (Exit 23B). Photo taken 12/23/03.
Southbound Interstate 275 reaches Exit 23B, Junction Florida 595/5th Avenue North. Use Florida 595 east to U.S. 92 and Florida 687, with connections into downtown. Florida 595 lies in the shadow of Interstate 375 for the entire duration of the short freeway. Photo taken 12/23/03.
Southbound Interstate 275 reaches Left Exit 23A, Junction Interstate 375 east to downtown St. Petersburg, with connections to U.S. 92 and Florida 689. The next exit is Exit 22, Junction Interstate 175 east. Photo taken 06/05/04.
Immediately after the Interstate 375 interchange is the left exit for Interstate 175 on southbound Interstate 275. Use Interstate 175 to reach Tropicana Field and Albert Whitted Airport. Photo taken 06/05/04.
Another diagrammatical sign is in place for the split between Interstate 275 and Interstate 175. Photo taken 12/23/03.
And again, yet another diagrammatical sign is in place for the Interstate 175 interchange (Exit 22). Photo taken 12/23/03.
Through traffic for Interstate 275 south must merge into the right two lanes, while the two left lanes exit onto Interstate 175 east. Photo taken 12/23/03.
The next exit along southbound is Exit 19, 22nd Avenue South. Photo taken 12/23/03.
These two pictures show southbound Interstate 275 as it approaches Exit 17/former Exit 4, Junction Florida 682/Pinellas Bayway to St. Petersburg Beach and 54th Avenue east to Catalina Gardens. Photos taken 06/05/04.
Florida 682 is the Pinellas Bayway, which connects Interstate 275 and St. Petersburg with Gulf Coast communities such as Tierra Verde and St. Petersburg Beach, as well as Fort De Soto Park, Mullet Key, and Gulf Beaches Historical Museum. Photo taken 12/23/03.
Southbound Interstate 275 reaches Exit 17, Junction Florida 682/Pinellas Bayway west and 54th Avenue South east. Photo taken 12/23/03.
Southbound Interstate 275 reaches Exit 16, Pinellas Point Drive and Skyway Lane (former Exit 3). In the northbound direction, this is where U.S. 19 splits off Interstate 275. Interstate 275 and U.S. 19 continue south from here to cross the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Photo taken 12/00.
Southbound Interstate 275 and U.S. 19 approaching the Sunshine Skyway Bridge toll plaza. Photo taken 12/00.
After the toll plaza, southbound Interstate 275 and U.S. 19 enter the causeway as it approaches the main span of the bridge, which is visible in the distance. Photo taken 12/00.
Continuing south on Interstate 275 and U.S. 19, the north skyway rest area is located on the island ahead. This is a good place to stop for a rest before crossing the cable stay bridge. Photo taken 12/00.
Southbound Interstate 275 and U.S. 19 approaching the north skyway rest area at Exit 2B. Photo taken 12/00.
Southbound Interstate 275 and U.S. 19 at the north skyway rest area at Exit 2B. Photo taken 12/00.
Onramp from Northern Rest Area to Southbound Interstate 275. There are two rest areas, with one on each side of the bridge. The northern rest area connects to the "fishing pier," which is actually the original Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The southern section of "fishing pier" does not connect to the northern section, and it is accessible from the southern rest area. Photo taken 12/00.
Interstate 275 approaches the cable stay bridge, the Sunshine Skyway. Photo taken 01/09/05.
Southbound Interstate 275 and U.S. 19 cross over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, a spectacular cable stay bridge that replaces the twin truss bridges of the original skyway. There are two masts that support the crest of the bridge, with yellow cables that connect the bridge to the masts. As the highest point for miles, the view from the crest of this bridge is spectacular. The original skyway was partially destroyed in 1980 when the Summit Venture crashed into a main supporting pier, resulting in the collapse of the bridge. Much of the original bridge was removed, but the original causeway is visible over the roofs of the cars. Photos taken 12/00.
The next exit along southbound Interstate 275 is Exit 2A, South Skyway fishing pier and rest area. The fishing pier is in reality the original Sunshine Skyway Bridge approach. The two old highest truss bridge segments were removed in the 1980s and 1990s after the tragic boat collision that collapsed one of the bridges. Photo taken 12/00.
These reassurance shields for southbound Interstate 275 and U.S. 19 are found along the freeway as it approaches Exit 5, Junction U.S. 19 (route divides). Note the unusually wide U.S. 19 shield. This is a rarity in Florida: an Interstate and U.S. co-signed routing. Photo taken 12/00.
Southbound Interstate 275 approaches Exit 5 (former Exit 2), U.S. 19 to Palmetto (and Bradenton via U.S. 41). Northbound traffic stops at this point to pay the toll for the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Photo taken 12/00.
U.S. 19 departs from southbound Interstate 275 at Exit 5, and it will end in Palmetto at its interchange with U.S. 41 only a few miles south of here. The exit is only 1/4 mile ahead. Photo taken 12/00.
After U.S. 19 spins off, southbound Interstate 275 prepares for its own terminus, as it approaches its parent, Interstate 75. There are no "END Interstate 275" shields present, and no "countdown" signs indicating the distance until the end of the Interstate (compare to the countdown signs at the ends of Interstates 75, 175, 195, and 375). Photos taken 12/00.
