Gov. Rick Scott announced a major Pinellas County roadway project on Monday.

Called the Gateway Express project, the governor introduced plans for a direct connection from I-275 to US 19 and from I-275 to the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Airport and the Bayside Bridge via an elevated tolled expressway.

"With this $131 million commitment we will be able to speed up this critical project," Scott said. "This will make roads safe, and allow families to spend more time together and less time sitting in traffic. The Gateway Express Project will also allow economic activity to continue to grow and develop in Pinellas County, which will create jobs and opportunities for Florida families."

The total estimated cost of the project is $338 million.

The Florida Department of Transportation is partnering with Pinellas County on the project. Funding includes federal, state and Penny for Pinellas funds.

According to transportation officials, motorists will be able to travel from US 19 or from the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Airport to I-275 without stopping at any signals. A toll-free option will remain available on the existing road network therefore giving drivers a choice.

"Originally broken out as five separate projects, combining them into one as a managed lane project will advance these corridor improvements by approximately 20 years," said FDOT Secretary Ananth Prasad.

Construction is slated to start in early 2017.