TRAVELER ALERT: Howard Frankland overnight ramp closure will affect TPA access

Travelers crossing Tampa Bay from Pinellas County on the Howard Frankland Bridge should be aware of an overnight detour that will affect access to Tampa International Airport.

The Florida Department of Transportation will begin closing the exit ramp from the northbound lanes of Interstate 275 to the flyover to TPA and westbound State Road 60 overnight starting in March as part of the Westshore Interchange improvement project, which began in January.

Drivers heading to SR 60 from the bridge between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. will instead be directed to take the West Kennedy Boulevard exit to the stoplight in front of WestShore Plaza and turn left to reach TPA, the Veterans Expressway and the Courtney Campbell Causeway.

The detour is scheduled to start March 2 and continue nightly between Monday and Friday for two weeks through March 13, and may be extended as required. The ramp closure is necessary for workers to remove existing lighting and guardrails, then install temporary lighting and barriers to accommodate construction for the project.

Please allow extra time to navigate this detour if you are traveling to the Airport for a late evening arrival or early morning departure during these dates. Southbound I-275 lanes will not be affected by this construction. Refer to the map below, which illustrates the detour.

Visit FDOT's Westshore Interchange project page for more information about this work: https://www.fdottampabay.com/project/967/447107-2-32-447107-2-52-447107-3-52-447107-4-52