Fourth Street entrance ramp onto northbound I-275 reopens after yearlong closure

The Fourth Street entrance ramp onto northbound Interstate 275 in Pinellas County has reopened more than a year after it closed for construction.

Just before 9:30 a.m. Monday, drivers were allowed back onto the ramp, which was closed last year for a bridge replacement project, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.

The department advised drivers to be especially alert as motorists get used to merging traffic in the area of I-275 near the Howard Frankland Bridge.

The southbound I-275 Exit 32 ramp to southbound Fourth Street remains closed as reconstruction work continues.

The work is part of the $580 million Gateway Expressway plan, which will create new connections between U.S. 19 and I-275.

The Fourth Street North bridge over I-275 is being removed and replaced with two elevated toll roads connecting U.S. 19 and the interstate.

The southbound exit ramp is expected to reopen in mid- to late October, according to the transportation department.