Interstate 375, also known as North Bay Drive

Constructed in the mid-1970’s and opened in 1978, Interstate 375 takes motorists to downtown St. Petersburg and to popular destinations such as BayWalk (a shopping and entertainment complex) and The Pier, a prominent St. Petersburg landmark that juts out into Tampa Bay featuring shopping and restaurants.  The highway is less than a mile long and is shorter than its counterpart, Interstate 175.  The Coliseum, a St. Petersburg entertainment landmark, is the first building you see to your left as you exit Interstate 375 at its eastern terminus on 4th Avenue North.

The speed limit is reduced to 50 mph for the entire length of this interstate.  Upon exiting, there are yellow blinkers that remind motorists to slow down to 30 mph as the road transitions from an interstate to a downtown street, that being 4 Av N.  Motorists, especially commuters trying to get to work on time, have learned this the hard way in the form of a traffic citation due to strict enforcement in this area.

Interstate 375 Eastbound

First signage for 4 St N and Martin Luther King St N/8 St N on Interstate 375 eastbound.  You can see St. Anthony’s Hospital in the background to your left.

Signage for Tropicana Field which can be reached on Martin Luther King St N from Interstate 375.  This is a good alternate route to beat the crowds on Interstate 175.

Second signage for 4 St N on Interstate 375 eastbound.  You can also exit here for 8 St N or Martin Luther King Street North.

The end of Interstate 375 is coming up in 2000 feet.  Prepare to slow down here!

Approaching the end of Interstate 375.  Now you know why to slow down here - 30 mph or risk getting a ticket!

If the reduced 30 mph speed limit does not convince you, the approach of the traffic signals will.  The end of the concrete pavement section marks the end of Interstate 375.

Was I right about the traffic signals?  Yes!  You are now on 4 Av N at the intersection of 5 St N.  4 St N is another block away.  It would be nice if Interstate 375 was built to 4 St N matching its counterpart with Interstate 175 but I believe it cannot be done due to the historic buildings in the way, including St. Petersburg's Coliseum which has been a landmark for many years.

Interstate 375 Westbound

Signage directing motorists onto Interstate 375 and eventually Interstate 275 from 5 Av N.  Here is a closeup view of the sign.

Interstate 375 westbound looking towards Interstate 275.

Interstate 375 westbound just before Interstate 275.  The one left lane is for southbound travelers going towards the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and Bradenton while the two right lanes are for northbound travelers going towards Tampa.

On the ramp from westbound Interstate 375 to southbound Interstate 275.  Notice to your right the ghost ramp that veers off to the right; this was supposed to be part of an extension of Interstate 375 to the beaches but that idea was nixed before Interstate 375 was built.

Another view of the ramp from westbound Interstate 375 to southbound Interstate 275.  Notice the advisory signage reminding motorists to maintain 30 mph as you go under the southbound lanes of Interstate 275.

Perspectives of Interstate 375 from Downtown St. Petersburg Streets

Closeup of the Interstate 375 and Interstate 275 shields on 4th Avenue North and 8th Street North.

View of northbound 8th Street North as it goes under Interstate 375.  8th Street North is one way northbound from just south of Booker Creek to just north of 9th Avenue North.

Closeup of the sign directing travelers to Interstate 275 from 8th Street North by way of Interstate 375 westbound.  Notice the North Bay Drive designation given to Interstate 375.  I believe this sign was there from Day One when Interstate 375 opened in 1978 and it is showing signs of age.

Looking eastbound on 4 Av N at 8 St N with the two interstate shields.  Also notice that left turns on red from 4 Av N to 8 St N are prohibited and the signage makes it clear.

View of northbound Martin Luther King Street North as it goes under Interstate 375.  What was once one way on Martin Luther King St N from 9 Av N to 4 Av N was converted to two way traffic recently; however, the section of Martin Luther King St N from 4 Av N southward to just south of Booker Creek remains one way southbound.

To Interstate 375 shield on Martin Luther King Street North, taken directly underneath Interstate 375.  Simply turn left at 5th Avenue North to get onto Interstate 375 westbound.

Looking east underneath Interstate 375 at Martin Luther King Street North.  Notice carefully the ramp to the left which carries travelers onto Interstate 375 westbound from 8 St N as well as the so many sets of concrete girders and support piers that were required to construct Interstate 375 through here, primarily to avoid the 55+ condominium complex on the right (not shown).  Speaking of the condominium complex, a noise barrier wall was erected atop the right hand side Jersey barrier of Interstate 375 eastbound when the highway was built in 1978, apparently to address noise concerns from residents of the condominium complex.  The 150145 number etched on one of the columns is a Florida DOT bridge number for maintenance purposes.

The beginning of Interstate 375 west from 5 Av N.  Once you are on Interstate 375 there is no exit until Interstate 275!  Notice the larger shield that was erected not too long ago during a recent concrete rehabilitation and sign replacement project.