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I-275 Ahead Of Schedule But Much Work Remains

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By RICH SHOPES

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 8, 2008

Interactive Graphic:
Rebuilding Northbound I-275

Tribune Graphic:
When Will It Be Finished?

TAMPA - Work to make Interstate 275 a smoother trip for thousands of commuters is six months ahead of schedule, but motorists still have a year or so of construction to endure.

The state says the $107 million project from east of Himes Avenue to east of the Hillsborough River is moving smoothly, and drivers likely will shift to the new northbound lanes in the spring.

The new highway will be paved with concrete, not asphalt, and be flatter than the roller-coaster ride motorists experience now.

But don't expect a hiccup-free transition. Once the new northbound lanes open, drivers will be limited to three through-lanes - the same number as now - while workers widen the bridges at North Boulevard and the Hillsborough River. A fourth and fifth lane will open in August 2009.

In January, workers will close the northbound entrance ramp at Himes for several months to allow a longer ramp to be built.

Some backups could pop up between now and the end of the project next October, but state officials don't expect them to be as bad as in February when workers shut down a lane north of Howard Avenue.

The next project on I-275, set to start in 2011, includes both the northbound and southbound lanes, from Himes to State Road 60.

The final project, southbound from the Hillsborough River to Himes, hasn't been scheduled yet.

Reporter Rich Shopes can be reached at (813) 259-7633 or rshopes@tampatrib.com.

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