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Dr. Delay: Questionable directions at interstate exit in St. Petersburg confuses drivers

A reader wondered why a sign directs her to travel east when her destination is west of the interstate.
 
A reader wrote to the doc questioning the directions to turn right for Gulfport and Stetson University coming off of exit 18 of Interstate 275 N. Photo courtesy of Donna Parrey.
A reader wrote to the doc questioning the directions to turn right for Gulfport and Stetson University coming off of exit 18 of Interstate 275 N. Photo courtesy of Donna Parrey. [ Courtesy of Donna Parrey ]
Published Aug. 26, 2019|Updated Aug. 26, 2019

A concerned reader asked the Doc why the sign at Exit 18 off Interstate 275 northbound shows a right arrow for Gulfport and Stetson Law School, when they are left of the interstate.

The Florida Department of Transportation assures this is no mistake.

Since the university is off of 22nd Avenue S, which does not have an exit from the northbound direction of I-275, they decided to send motorists up 31st Street to then turn left on 22nd Avenue S toward Gulfport and Stetson University.

“This was chosen rather than direct traffic to U.S. 19/ 34th Street S from this exit as U.S. 19/34th Street S has six lanes and more traffic than 31st Street S which only has two lanes,” said Kris Carson with the Department of Transportation, “making the need to change lanes in order to make the left turn at 22nd Avenue S less cumbersome."

DOT suggests taking the route highlighted in red (turning right) from exit 18 of I-275 N rather than taking the route in green (turning left) because of the traffic patterns. Florida Department of Transportation [ Florida Department of Transportation ]

Lane closures, traffic and project updates:

HERNANDO COUNTY:

  • Expect lane closures all day through Saturday for a half-mile on each side of Suncoast Parkway (State Road 589) for the U.S. 98 new bridge construction of Suncoast Parkway 2.
  • Lanes closures continue all day through Saturday at U.S. 41 (Jefferson Street) for railroad crossing replacement between Ponce De Leon Boulevard and Bailey Avenue.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

  • Lane closures all day through Saturday from Madison Avenue/Pendola Point Road to Port Sutton Road for U.S. 41 intersection reconstruction
  • Lane closures continue all day through Oct. 19 from Dickman Road to Wyandotte Road for County Road 672 (Big Bend Road) bridge replacement
  • Del Webb Boulevard W remains closed 24 hours a day through Saturday for drainage installation at Sun City Center Boulevard (State Road 674)
  • Lane closures with flagging operations at Sligh Avenue under Interstate 75 through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Lane closures continue all day Friday and Saturday from Bird Street to Waters Avenue at U.S. Business 41 (Florida Avenue) for pedestrian safety improvements
  • Friday the Selmon Expressway reversible express lanes will open eastbound from 1 p.m. and remain heading eastbound until Tuesday at 6 a.m. for Labor Day. At that time the reversible express lanes will open westbound and resume normal operations.

PINELLAS COUNTY:

  • Expect daytime lane closures Friday along Belcher Road at Druid Road to Park Boulevard as the county completes ongoing construction
  • Expect delays Friday along 62nd Avenue N from Park Street to Westchester Road in Pinellas Park for mowing along the sides of the road
  • Expect lane closures and delays at 58th and 59th avenues N from 44th Street to 46th Street in St. Petersburg through Saturday for drainage improvements
  • Friday is the last day of construction on an air valve replacement along Lime Street from S Jasmine Avenue to S Camelia Avenue. Road is closed and continue to follow establish detours
  • Expect lane closures and delays Friday on the last day of construction within the Seminole Pines division from 86th Street N to the south end of the subdivision between Jennifer Lane and Denise Drive for sidewalk upgrades and repair
  • Signal installation began Monday at Keene Road and Palmetto Street in Clearwater. Expect daytime and nighttime lane closures until its completion date, Oct. 30
BOYZELL HOSEY | Times Head shot Monique Welch, Tampa Bay Times staff writer pictured in the Times Studio 07.19.19 [ BOYZELL HOSEY | Tampa Bay Times ]

Email Dr. Delay at docdelay@gmail.com to share your traffic concerns and questions across the Tampa Bay area. Follow @AskDrDelay.