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Motorists To See New Exit Ramp On S.R. 60 Near TIA

By RICH SHOPES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 12, 2008

TAMPA - Just in time for the holidays, motorists next week will get a new exit ramp from eastbound State Road 60 to Spruce Street, although the change could mean gridlock for morning commuters until they get used to it.

The exit relocation is one of several changes for the tangle of roads near Tampa International Airport set for Tuesday morning.

Transportation officials posted signs this week to caution motorists and attempt to avoid a repeat of three months ago, when the Spruce and airport exits were moved. Motorists were caught in a bottleneck for almost an hour when some couldn't find their exit or got into the wrong lane.

John McShaffrey, the Department of Transportation's spokesman for construction, said drivers on eastbound 60 should give themselves extra time Tuesday morning.

"There'll be some confusion, as always, and we expect that," he said. "Hopefully, motorists will pay attention to the signs."

The Spruce exit, used by thousands of motorists daily to get to the West Shore business district and International Plaza, is set to be moved at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday from the highway's left side back to the right side.

The Spruce and airport exits were moved Sept. 15 to allow workers to build exit ramps over the highway. The airport exit opened Oct. 7.

Several other changes are planned for Tuesday. McShaffrey said the department scheduled them at the same time because most of the ramps work together.

The department's strategy is to offer drivers separate exits so they won't need to merge across several lanes of traffic to get off the highway.

Among the other changes scheduled: