The second extension of Interstate 275 brought the highway to a point just south of Gandy Blvd., also known as SR 694.  Before construction Gandy Blvd. was a two-lane road from US 19 in Pinellas Park to 4 St N in St. Petersburg utilizing 94 Av N and the present-day Koger Blvd N.  A few years after I-275 was constructed Gandy Blvd. was reconstructed from a two-lane highway to a four-lane highway and it was realigned for a better connection at 4 St N.  Soon after Gandy Blvd. was switched to the new alignment the old alignment on 94 Av N reverted from Florida DOT to City of St. Petersburg control.

Exit 28 features a full-access interchange except for traffic westbound on Gandy Blvd. intending to go northbound on I-275 as well as traffic exiting southbound from I-275 intending to go eastbound on Gandy Blvd.  Around the early 1980’s two desperately-needed ramps were added allowing traffic from Pinellas Park to enter I-275 southbound and traffic from northbound I-275 to exit at Gandy Blvd. to go westbound to Pinellas Park.

Motorists headed westbound on Gandy Blvd. can not only go to Pinellas Park, they can also go to Seminole and Indian Shores.  The road name changes from Gandy Blvd. to Park Blvd. at US 19.  Eastbound motorists on Gandy Blvd. can access Derby Lane (which is a greyhound race track) or take an alternative route to Tampa via the Gandy Bridge.  Believe me, the Gandy Bridge is a better commute to Tampa/St. Petersburg alternative during rush hour when traffic on the Howard Frankland Bridge gets backed up, especially on the Tampa side.

During the afternoon rush hour traffic on Interstate 275 northbound approaching Exit 28 can get backed up that the right lane is clogged from time to time.  I have drawn up a suggested makeover of Exit 28 at Interstate 275 which you can view by clicking on this link.

Interstate 275 Southbound at Exit 28

Advance signage for Exit 28 coming up in 3/4 mile.

Advance signage for Exit 28 coming up in 1/2 mile.  Notice the dedicated exit only lane.

Exit 28 is the way to go if you are headed for Seminole or Indian Shores as well as Pinellas Park.

Final opportunity for Exit 28 on Interstate 275 southbound.  FL 694 is named Gandy Blvd. westward to the overpass at US 19, where the name changes from Gandy Blvd. to Park Blvd.

Interstate 275 Northbound at Exit 28

Advance signage for Exit 28 coming up in one mile.

For those northbound Interstate 275 motorists headed to Tampa, check your gas gauge.  Don't run out of gas on the Howard Frankland Bridge!

Signage for Gandy Blvd. and Indian Shores ahead at Exit 28.  Unlike its southbound counterpart Gandy Blvd. isn't heavily emphasized on northbound Interstate 275.

Final opportunity for Exit 28 on Interstate 275 northbound.  As the ramp is one lane, constant backups on the Interstate 275 northbound mainline are common during rush hour.

If you are headed for St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport use Exit 30 (Roosevelt Blvd./FL 686) while if you are headed for Tampa International Airport you will have to cross the Howard Frankland Bridge and use Exit 39 (FL 60).

Perspective of Interstate 275 at Exit 28

The split for Interstate 275 from Gandy Blvd. eastbound.  When this interchange opened around 1970 you could go only northbound but in 1981 the southbound ramp was constructed to eliminate a dangerous U-turn hazard further down Gandy Blvd. at the intersection with Frontage Rd and 94 Av N.

Looking westbound on Gandy Blvd. at the entrance to Interstate 275 southbound.