Parts of Interstate 275 turned into parking lots Sunday morning and afternoon because of a paving project that narrowed traffic to one lane northbound for much of the day.
Motorists trying to get to Tampa from parts south were stalled by work between State Road 60 (Exit 39) and Lois Avenue (Exit 40B). That caused traffic heading east into Tampa to back up all the way across the Howard Frankland Bridge and well into St. Petersburg.
The lanes reopened about 3 p.m., but one lane was closed again two hours later when potholes formed on the newly paved roadway. The Florida Department of Transportation later sent out a news release saying that the area would have one to two lanes closed overnight to repair the road and that crews hoped to have the work done by 5:30 a.m., in time for rush hour.
Traffic had slowed on the Gandy Bridge, too, because of drivers seeking to avoid the Howard Frankland.
Drivers should be aware that the southbound entrance and exit ramps for Ashley Drive in Tampa are closed for construction.