The second extension
of Interstate 275 brought the highway to a point just south of Gandy
Blvd., also known as FL 694. Before construction in 1971 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. When Interstate 275
was built in 1971 Gandy Blvd. was widened to four lanes but only
within the interchange area. In 1977 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. Today Gandy Blvd. is a continuous four lane highway
starting at the overpass crossing US 19 in Pinellas Park all the way
to 4 St N and beyond.
Exit 28 features a
full-access interchange except for traffic westbound on Gandy Blvd.
intending to go northbound on Interstate 275 as well as traffic exiting
southbound from Interstate 275 intending to go eastbound on Gandy Blvd.
In 1981 two desperately-needed ramps were
added allowing traffic from Pinellas Park to enter Interstate 275 southbound
and traffic from northbound Interstate 275 to exit at Gandy Blvd. to go
westbound to Pinellas Park. With the opening of the
Park Blvd. Bridge in 1981 the Park/Gandy highway system became
Pinellas County's next cross county thoroughfare.
Motorists headed
westbound on Gandy Blvd. can go not only 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.
A
Suggested Exit 28 Makeover
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 a discussion on a suggested makeover of Exit
28 at Interstate 275 which you can view by
clicking on this link.
Interstate 275
Southbound at Exit 28
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Advance signage for Gandy Blvd. coming up in 3/4 mile |
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Notice the dedicated right hand exit only lane, thanks to a widening project completed in November 2001. |
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More advance signage for Gandy Blvd. coming up in 1/2 mile |
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Again notice the dedicated right hand exit only lane. The sign mounted to the right marks Gandy Blvd.'s old exit number, which used to be Exit 15 under the old sequential exit numbering scheme. |
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If you are headed to Seminole or Indian Shores, Gandy Blvd. is the place! |
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In addition to Pinellas Park, use westbound Gandy Blvd. (FL 694) for access to Seminole as well as Indian Shores. Also notice one of the many electronic variable message signs placed on Interstate 275 in the Tampa Bay area informing motorists of traffic conditions and travel times. |
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Final opportunity for westbound Gandy Blvd. |
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From here Gandy Blvd. westbound (FL 694) retains its name until the US 19 overpass in Pinellas Park, where the name changes from Gandy Blvd. to Park Blvd. FL 694 retains the Park Blvd. name all the way to FL 693 (66 St N) and further to Seminole and Indian Shores (at 66 St N Park Blvd. changes jurisdictions from Florida DOT to Pinellas County). |
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Interstate 275
Northbound at Exit 28
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Advance signage for Gandy Blvd. coming up in one mile |
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Notice that Pinellas Park and Seminole are mentioned here. |
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One of the many variable message signs on Interstate 275 |
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These variable message signs alert motorists not only to estimated travel times but advance notice of congestion or accidents as well. For instance, if there is a major incident on the Howard Frankland Bridge there would be an advisory message alerting motorists to use Gandy Blvd. and the Gandy Bridge to Tampa. |
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Signage for Gandy Blvd. and Indian Shores |
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In addition to Pinellas Park and Seminole, use westbound Gandy Blvd. (which turns into Park Blvd. at US 19 in Pinellas Park) for Indian Shores. Unlike the southbound signage for Exit 28 Gandy Blvd. is not as emphasized as much. |
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Headed to Tampa on northbound Interstate 275? Check your gas gauge! |
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The "Long Bridge Ahead" is the Howard Frankland Bridge. You do not want to run out of gas on the bridge; if your tank is low exit here and head east on Gandy Blvd. to 4 St N as there is a gas station on the southeast corner of Gandy and 4 St N. |
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Final opportunity for Gandy Blvd. |
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As the ramp is one lane, constant backups on the northbound Interstate 275 mainline are common during rush hour. Not only you can head west to Pinellas Park, Seminole and Indian Shores you can also head east on Gandy Blvd. to the Derby Lane dog track as well as the Gandy Bridge providing an alternative route to Tampa (including downtown Tampa via the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway). |
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Exits for St. Petersburg/Clearwater Airport and Tampa International Airport |
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Use Exit 30 (FL 686/Roosevelt Blvd.) to reach the St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport or Exit 39 (FL 60) to reach Tampa International Airport. Exit 39 is the first exit after the Howard Frankland Bridge, so if you got a flight to catch from TIA plan accordingly for any delays. |
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Perspective of
Interstate 275 at Exit 28
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The split for Interstate 275 from eastbound Gandy Blvd. |
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When this interchange opened in 1971 you could go only northbound on Interstate 275 but in 1981 the southbound ramp was constructed in order to eliminate a dangerous U-turn hazard further east on Gandy Blvd. at the intersection of Frontage Road and 94 Av N. |
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Westbound on Gandy Blvd. at the entrance to Interstate 275 southbound |
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Notice the different font used in the sign. The right lane goes into a circular loop ramp requiring a slow 30 mph drive. The bridge railings have recently been replaced. |
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New mast arm traffic signal |
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This is a new mast arm traffic signal at the northbound off ramp. It replaced a span wire traffic signal that was there since 1981 when modifications were made. |
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