Page Twelve:  Pinellas Point Drive South (Exit 16)

Constructed at about the same time the new Sunshine Skyway Bridge was opened in 1987 the tenth and final segment of Interstate 275 through St. Petersburg was built.  The existing right of way for US 19 was used to build this segment requiring little right of way acquisition.  The two bridges over Frenchmans Creek were rebuilt and an interchange was constructed at Pinellas Point Drive South.  Construction terminated at the northern toll booth entrance to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, which was eventually relocated south of the first bridge.  With this final segment, Interstate 275 was brought through St. Petersburg and connected with the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

Maximo Park is reached from the Pinellas Point Drive South exit.  In addition, businesses and condominiums that line the highway from its early US 19 heydays are accessed from a side frontage road called Sunshine Skyway Lane South.  It is on Sunshine Skyway Lane South where northbound traffic on Interstate 275 wishing to use Exit 16 must exit onto and proceed north to Pinellas Point Drive South.

Interstate 275 Southbound at Exit 16

Advance signage for Pinellas Point Drive South and Sunshine Skyway Lane coming up in 1/2 mile.

Motorists beware:  Exit 16 is your last opportunity to exit Interstate 275 southbound before you are committed to paying the $1.00 toll for the Sunshine Skyway Bridge!

Final opportunity to exit Interstate 275 at Exit 16.  Continuing straight ahead on Interstate 275 will lead you to the toll plaza for the Sunshine Skyway Bridge two miles ahead.  Notice the erroneous "Exit Only" legend on the bottom of the sign when in fact there is no dedicated exit lane.

Interstate 275 Northbound at Exit 16

Advance signage for Pinellas Point Drive South and Sunshine Skyway Lane coming up in one mile.  This is the first Interstate 275 exit in St. Petersburg for motorists coming from the Sunshine Skyway.

Final opportunity to exit Interstate 275 at Exit 16.  The off ramp places you onto Sunshine Skyway Lane South which takes you to Pinellas Point Drive South.

Mileage sign for the three south beach exits.  The mileages shown represent the distance to the exits for the corresponding beach communities:  St Pete Beach is 3/4 mile to Exit 17 (54 Av S/Pinellas Bayway), Treasure Island is 3 1/2 miles to Exit 20 (31 St S) and Madeira Beach is 7 1/2 miles to Exit 25 (38 Av N).

Mileage sign for the two north beach exits.  Like the previous picture for the south beach exits, the mileages shown represent the distance to the exits for the corresponding beach communities:  Redington Beaches is 7 1/2 miles to Exit 25 (38 Av N) and Indian Shores is 10 1/2 miles to Exit 28 (Gandy Blvd/FL 694).

View of southern St. Petersburg as you come across the Dick Misener Bridge on northbound Interstate 275.  The Dick Misener Bridge was named for a prominent marine contractor who built many of the bridges and fishing piers in the Tampa Bay area; this particular bridge replaced the twin drawbridges that were part of the original Sunshine Skyway Bridge and its height at the top is similar to the Howard Frankland Bridge.  Barely visible through the pedestrian fence is the skyline of downtown St. Petersburg.

Perspective of Interstate 275 at Exit 16

Directional sign for Sunshine Skyway Lane, Pinellas Point Drive South and Maximo Park on the ramp from southbound Interstate 275.

Coverage of Interstate 275 in St. Petersburg as it crosses the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is covered in the bridges section of Interstate275Florida.com.  Click on this link to proceed south on Interstate 275 to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.