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FDOT: No Major Woes From Latest Shift Of S.R. 60 Exit Near TIA

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TBO.com

Published: December 16, 2008

Updated: 12/16/2008 12:07 pm

Traffic slowdowns but no serious problems have surfaced today with the relocation of the Spruce Street exit of State Road 60 near Tampa International Airport.

The exit was shifted from the left side of S.R. 60 back to the right at 5:30 a.m. today.

One problem developed with rush-hour traffic about 6:30 a.m. as southbound motorists heading toward Interstate 275 merged from three lanes into two lanes where overhead signs directed I-275 traffic near the new Spruce Street exit ramp.

Motorists headed for I-275 could have remained for nearly a mile in the left-hand lane before merging into the two lanes for I-275. The left-hand lane in that stretch remained nearly empty.

The confusion helped trigger early morning backups all the way to the Linebaugh Avenue exit on the Veterans Expressway.

"Some people weren't sure whether to take the airport exit or the exit to Spruce Street, so that probably contributed," Florida Department of Transportation spokesman John McShaffrey said.

"It's going to get better each day. By Thursday and Friday, it should be getting better," he said.

Even with no major problems, drivers will need to pay attention to the portable signs directing motorists to Spruce.

The last time the Spruce Street exit was moved, in September, morning commuters were snarled in a massive traffic jam. FDOT officials, hoping to avoid a similar occurrence, have posted signs for more than a week to prepare motorists.

The exit, which is just before the exit to Tampa International Airport, carries motorists across S.R. 60 to the east side of Spruce.

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