I-275 Widening / ITS from U.S. 41 to I-75 (completed November 2012)

Project Description

Financial Project #s 258413-1, 258413-3 and 407233-7
Project Length: 5.7 miles
Construction Cost: $20.6 million
Contractor: Prince Contracting Company
Start Date: January 6, 2011
Completed: November 16, 2012

About this Project
The Florida Department of Transportation's contractor widened I-275 from U.S. 41 (Nebraska Avenue -- just north of Bearss Avenue, Exit 53) to just southwest of Interstate 75. This project included adding one lane in each direction -- making that stretch of highway a six-lane roadway (3 in each direction) to match up with the existing six lanes to the south. The new lanes were built in the median.

----------------------------------------------A separate project is scheduled for the second half of 2013 that will further widen northbound I-275 from just before the exit ramp to State Road 56 to just southwest of where the ramp to northbound I-75 crosses over I-75. This will allow for an improved separation of traffic exiting to SR 56 or northbound I-75, as well as additional merging space for traffic headed to northbound I-75 to be reduced to two lanes before crossing over I-75.----------------------------------------------

A concrete barrier was built in the median separating the northbound and southbound lanes within the southern portion of the project. The high tension cable barrier installed in the median in 2007 remains in the northern portion of the corridor.

Drainage was also improved along the corridor through the addition of new ponds and drainage pipes to handle storm water runoff.

The project also added Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) components to the corridor to assist with traffic management. The devices installed included 5 cameras, 20 microwave vehicle detectors, fiber optic cable, and one Dynamic Message Sign to relay important traffic information to drivers.

A traffic control was developed to minimize inconvenience to the traveling public. However, nighttime closures were needed for mainline travel lanes (see hours below).

Lane Closure Hours

* Northbound I-275: 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
* Southbound I-275: 9:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.