Page Five:  Floribraska Avenue (Exit 46A) and Martin Luther King Jr Blvd (Exit 46B)

Just past the Interstate 4 interchange northbound on Interstate 275 are the exits for Floribraska Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.  The segment beginning at Floribraska Avenue is part of an original segment of Interstate 75 built in 1966 to close the gap between Interstate 4 and Bearss Avenue.  The interchange at Floribraska Avenue is a northbound entry and southbound exit partial interchange, while the interchange at Martin Luther King Jr Blvd is a full service interchange.

Floribraska Avenue is a local side street connecting Nebraska Avenue (FL 45) to the east and Florida Avenue (Business US 41) to the west, hence the name of this street.  Martin Luther King Jr Blvd was originally named Buffalo Avenue; it was renamed Martin Luther King Jr Blvd several years ago in honor of the civil rights leader.  Like its counterpart in St. Petersburg on 9 St N the renaming came with a little controversy that probably goes with the territory when streets are renamed.  Southbound travelers can reach Raymond James Stadium by exiting at Martin Luther King Jr Blvd and proceeding west to Himes Avenue or Dale Mabry Highway and avoid the congestion ahead southbound at the Interstate 4 interchange.

Interstate 275 Southbound at Exit 46A

Advance signage for Floribraska Avenue.

Final opportunity to exit Interstate 275 at Floribraska Avenue.

Interstate 275 Northbound at Exit 46B

Advance mileage signage for Martin Luther King Jr Blvd as well as Hillsborough Avenue and Sligh Avenue.  This was replaced by a variable message sign to the left and a fixed sign for FL 574 coming up in 1/2 mile.

Advance signage for Martin Luther King Jr Blvd just around the corner.  Notice the dedicated right exit only lane.

Final opportunity to exit Interstate 275 at Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.  Notice the advance signage for Hillsborough Avenue (US 92) as it is the next exit on Interstate 275 northbound.  Too bad the overhead sign on the left doesn’t say “Interstate 275 North Ocala” rather than the generic “Thru Traffic”.

Interstate 275 Southbound at Exit 46B

Advance signage for Martin Luther King Jr Blvd coming up in 1/2 mile.

Final opportunity to exit Interstate 275 southbound at Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.  Notice the advance signage for Floribraska Avenue as it is the next exit southbound.  The overhead sign on the left is signage well done – “Interstate 275 South Tampa Airport St Petersburg” is much better for our visitors than the generic “Thru Traffic” on the northbound overhead.

Use Exit 46B from Interstate 275 southbound if you are headed for Raymond James Stadium or Legends Field.

Perspective of Interstate 275 at Exit 46B

Martin Luther King Jr Blvd looking eastbound as we go under Interstate 275.  Notice the signage to Ocala via Interstate 275 north and Interstate 75 north.

Martin Luther King Jr Blvd looking westbound as we go under Interstate 275.  Notice the signage to St. Petersburg via Interstate 275 south.