New northbound lanes of I-275 to open soon

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

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This image shows the progress on the new lanes.

TAMPA (Bay News 9) -- In a few weeks drivers will be able to use the newly constructed northbound lanes of Interstate 275.

The lanes are being added between the Interstate 4 interchange and Himes Avenue in Tampa.

The Department of Transportation says shortly after Easter, regular traffic will be shifted to the new lanes.

Drivers say the existing interstate is too often jammed with traffic.

"It's terrible. It's ridiculous," said one commuter. "We're turning around and going to Orlando."

Of course the new lanes will present some new traffic problems as the drivers get used to the shift.

Project managers warn even when they shift the traffic to the new lanes, it will still be pretty slow going much of the time. But they say it gives them a chance to begin construction on the new southbound lanes.

According to the Department of Transportation, construction on the northbound lanes between the Hillsborough River and Himes Avenue will cost about $109 million.

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