Page Eight:  Interstate 175 (Exit 22)

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Introduction

Interstate 275 Southbound at Exit 22

Interstate 275 Northbound at Exit 22

Perspective of Interstate 275 at Exit 22

Introduction

The sixth segment of Interstate 275 brought the highway south over 1 Av N, Central Avenue and 1 Av S and to the second connector to downtown St. Petersburg, Interstate 175.  Constructed in stages with the principal segments built in 1977 to the last segment built along with the Interstate 275 segment from 5 Av S to east of 28 St S in 1979, the highway was built as a overpass viaduct due to the numerous side streets as well as the three principal St. Petersburg east-west streets, 1 Av N, Central Avenue and 1 Av S, not to mention a railroad spur that has recently become an extension of the Pinellas Trail, a 30+ mile long pedestrian and bicycle trail running on a former railroad line from downtown St. Petersburg through Seminole, Largo and Clearwater to Tarpon Springs.

Interstate 175 takes motorists to Tropicana Field, the home of the Tampa Bay Rays, as well as the two major hospitals (Bayfront Medical Center and All Children's Hospital), the University of South Florida's St. Petersburg Campus and the Mahaffey Theater.  More on Interstate 175 is covered in a separate page which can be accessed by clicking on the Interstate 175 link below.

Interstate 275 Southbound at Exit 22

	Advance signage for Interstate 175 coming up in 1/2 mile The H sign located to the right of the Exit 22 tab means that you can reach both Bayfront Medical Center and All Children's Hospital from this exit, then east on Interstate 175 to 6 St S.
	More advance signage for Interstate 175 just around the corner Like Interstate 375, you must be in the left lane according to the diagrammatic shown on the sign. Use the left and center lanes for Interstate 175 into downtown St. Petersburg or the right and center lanes to continue on southbound Interstate 275.
	Closeup of the diagrammatic signage for Interstate 175 This is seen on the ground at Burlington Av N.
	Mileage to Interstate 175 as well as 28 St S and 22 Av S Notice the old South Bay Drive designation for Interstate 175.
	Final opportunity to exit onto Interstate 175 eastbound Notice the control cities and destinations: Tropicana Field via Interstate 175 and Bradenton via Interstate 275.

Interstate 275 Northbound at Exit 22

	Interstate 175 is coming up in one mile This is just after we pass the exit for 31 St S and you must be in the right lane.
	Mileage for Downtown St. Petersburg Exits Both Interstates 175 (3/4 mile) and 375 (1-1/2 miles) are shown.
	Intermediate signage for Interstate 175 and advance signage for Interstate 375 Remain in the right or center lanes if you wish to exit onto Interstate 175.
	Final opportunity to exit onto Interstate 175 eastbound   I don't know why an "Exit Only" message is missing over the right lane as it defaults onto Interstate 175. It would remind motorists that the right lane defaults onto an exit ramp with a reduced speed and help prevent a tragedy that happened in 2007 at Interstate 375. The H sign mounted above the upper left hand corner of the Interstate 175 sign indicates that you can reach Bayfront Medical Center and All Children's Hospital by following Interstate 175 to 6 St S.
	Mileage for Downtown St. Petersburg Exits II This is mileage for the two downtown St. Petersburg exits - Interstate 175 and Interstate 375 - mounted on a new overhead gantry along with a variable message sign that was recently installed.
	You can reach Downtown St. Petersburg landmarks from both Exits 22 and 23 That would be the many museums in Downtown St. Petersburg plus BayWalk and the downtown waterfront.  Also use either exit to obtain tourist information at the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce.
	Headed to the University of South Florida's St. Petersburg Campus or the Mahaffey Theater? You will want to use Exit 22 and head east on Interstate 175 all the way to its terminus at 4 St S.  The USF campus is on your right after you pass 4 St S and the Mahaffey Theater will be straight ahead at 1 St S.

Perspective of Interstate 275 at Exit 22

 

	Looking underneath Interstate 275 southbound at Central Avenue Notice how the support columns are perfectly aligned.
	An excellent view of northbound Interstate 275 at Interstate 175 Northbound Interstate 275 is the higher bridge to the left while the ramp from westbound Interstate 175 feeding traffic onto Interstate 275 northbound is the lower bridge to the right. This is seen on 3 Av S and the lot in the foreground is used for Tropicana Field parking.
	Another view of Interstate 275 northbound Again this is seen on 3 Av S. Notice how high the bridge is here.
	Looking underneath Interstate 275 southbound as is prepares to split off at Interstate 175 Notice the enormous amount of columns and support beams required to construct the highway, as the southbound lanes widen out for two lanes onto Interstate 175 eastbound and two through lanes for Interstate 275 southbound. Again, this is seen from 3 Av S.