St. Petersburg drivers who rely on the I-275 and 54th Avenue North interchange are about to get a long-term shakeup. Starting Thursday night, April 9, the Florida Department of Transportation will shut down two key ramps at the I-275/54th Avenue North interchange, sending traffic onto surface streets and into months-long detours.
According to the Florida Department of Transportation, the affected ramps are the southbound I-275 Exit 26 ramp to 54th Avenue North and the westbound 54th Avenue North entrance ramp onto southbound I-275. The closures are scheduled to begin the night of April 9 and are expected to remain in place for reconstruction for several months, roughly into summer or fall 2026.
Detours drivers should plan for
Tampa Free Press details the official detours drivers will see on new signs. Southbound I-275 motorists who usually exit at 54th Avenue North via Exit 26 will need to stay on the interstate to Exit 25 at 38th Avenue North, head west on 38th Avenue, then turn right on US-19/34th Street North and continue north to 54th Avenue.
For drivers trying to get onto southbound I-275 from westbound 54th Avenue North, the new route will send them past the closed ramp, then left on US-19 (34th Street North) heading south, followed by a left turn onto 38th Avenue North eastbound to reach the southbound I-275 entrance ramp.
Why the ramps are closing
The ramp shutdowns are part of a $340 million I-275 overhaul that stretches from north of 38th Avenue North to north of 4th Street North. The work includes widening the interstate, adding tolled express lanes and reconfiguring several interchanges to improve traffic operations. The Florida Department of Transportation notes that the project will also bring interchange modifications at 38th and 54th avenues, new noise barriers and a shared-use path. The overall effort is projected to wrap up in late 2030.
Commuter tips
Construction crews will set up detour signs around the affected ramps, but drivers are being urged to pad their usual morning and evening travel times to account for the extra distance and congestion on local streets. Nearby businesses and neighborhoods around 38th and 54th avenues should be ready for heavier cut-through traffic while the ramps stay closed, according to Tampa Free Press…