Big I-275 Lane Closures Coming to Downtown Tampa for Bridge Work

Starting Oct. 4, I-275 through downtown Tampa will shut down its northbound side. The southbound direction keeps a single lane open. This major change lasts until Oct. 6 while crews work on bridge upgrades.

"The 275 southbound to I-4 east is going to be landing on the northside, or the left-side, of the roadway for some people," Andrew Williams, senior construction project manager for FDOT explained, according to Fox 13 News.

The work starts at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 4 and ends 5 a.m. Oct. 6. Fox 13 News reports that crews will install support beams for a fresh two-lane connector. This new structure will link cars from I-275 South to I-4 East.

The work takes place at Tampa's busiest traffic spot: the downtown interchange. Traffic plans aren't final yet. FDOT will spell out detour options at their Monday morning press talk, starting 10 a.m.

This shutdown marks a big step in fixing Tampa's traffic flow problems. The added bridge aims to cut down on the daily traffic jams that build up when drivers switch from I-275 South to I-4 East.

With such limited access, drivers should plan different routes. The single open southbound lane won't handle the usual traffic load. Expect significant slowdowns through the city center.

While exact detour paths stay under wraps until Monday's announcement, drivers can stay informed. FDOT's website and social feeds will post real-time updates about traffic conditions and suggested alternate routes during the three-day project.